Ryven's father, Kalus Haijikioten, was a mercenary almost from birth. Hist father before him, and the one before that, and the one before that, had all plied a similar trade. At some point, most likely the Caldari-Gallente War, the Haijikiotens had had an honorable ancestor who fought as a member of the State Navy, and had done so with some distinction. Unfortunately, that family line enjoyed the taste of conflict so much, they engaged in it every chance that came along, regardless of who was sponsoring it. The Caldari State had uses for such talents, and often employed them, especially when they didn't want the blame coming back to them. However, the trouble for Kalus Haijikioten and his lover, an ex-Gurista named Seelah, came when they were hired by a somewhat shady Jin-Mei who hired them to attack a mining colony in the Ibura system. The Caldari State, notably the Suukevestra Corporation, who owned, via a network of smaller companies, the colony, was enraged. Though both Kalus and Seelah died in the raid, due to a catastrophic hull breach, they were both tried and convicted posthumously as war criminals and pirates. This left some question as to what to do with their two year old child, Ryven Haijikioten.
The State wanted to leave the child to his fate on the streets rather than take on the spawn of pirates as a ward of the State, but, the Sisters of Eve intervened and took him into their care. They suppressed his parentage to free him of the stain of his family. However, it seemed to Baillieu that some things are genetic. He had been in the corridor when this child attacked and critically injured the red-haired boy. He was shocked and appalled, and so he asked a few others about this strange child. They all replied similarly, "It's that damn Haijikioten boy."
He went to speak with the headmistress about the matter, and learned that they were considering doing what the State had not, and leaving the boy to his fate on the streets of some Caldari city. He made an offer that shocked Sister Caille. He offered to sponsor the child, and to pay for his continued education. He offered to all but adopt Ryven, and promised to stop in to visit the child whenever he was able. Mr. Crennelle was a travelling low-level diplomat, and an Intaki by lineage. It took some persuading, but, Sister Caille finally relented, pending and solely if Ryven agreed.
"Ryven, I have something I want to ask you."
Ryven stood silently.
"My name is Baillieu Crennelle."
Ryven showed no response.
"You have two choices." Baillieu paused a moment before going on. "You can either take your chances out there in the world, an unpleasant place, by any reckoning, or, you can accept me as your sponsor and guardian."
Ryven's left eyebrow shot up. This was obviously not something the child expected, and for once he spoke. "Why the fuck would a Gallente want to sponsor a Caldari child? Especially one like me? Are you trying to fuck with me?"
"I suppose you deserve an answer to that. The truth is, I don't really know. You've got spirit, perhaps?" He lied. "If you accept, I promise to look in on you when I am able. I can't outright adopt you, or I might. My wife died a decade ago, and I have no children of my own. However, I travel far too much, and you'd lose out on education you'll need. I do promise, though, I will help you to put that fire inside you to a purpose. Left without purpose, your life will always be filled with troubles. Channel that rage to a purpose, a cause, and you will excell beyond expectation."
Ryven stood there in silence for but a moment. He didn't know what this Gallente's game was, and he worried there was something really wrong with him, but, the offer to help with his rage, and the prospect of a chance to finally have someone in his life to try to understand him, and maybe even guide him, was compelling. He took a leap.
"I accept."
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