[OPEN] I sing a bitter song

[bostova]

WHO: Yulia Bostova & You
WHAT: Catch-all for pre-campaign all the way up to June 14th (Yes, the first day of classes)
WHERE: Anywhere
WHEN: Anytime
SAFE FOR WORK? Y...for now.
OTHER NOTES: If your character has been in Falner for the past few days/months/years leading up to the first day of classes at Balamb, then feel free to to tag in :) Feel free to reply in prose or action, I don't really care which! Just indicate when the thread is happening :)

a. gisi
Zangyaku's base of operations in Falner; usually, you can find her at an izakaya at the Entertainment District. If she's not there, try the Hot Springs; she usually takes over operations there. If not there, check the Sky Steps, or Sabina's office, or with some of the other Whisperers. Good luck getting her to talk, though.

b. around falner
If she's in the Great Hall, it's usually because of a Hound or two. She doesn't stay too long there, though. She can also be found at the Shatterdome, terrorizing Netsach initiates. If she's at the lake, it's best to leave her alone.

c. shatterdome barracks
She lives on the fifth floor of Zangyaku's barracks. Or, she could be visiting the barracks for Aegis Kai Doru or the Thrones. Who for? Wouldn't you like to know.

d. choose your own adventure
There are a lot of places you can run into Yulia. Pick one and go for it!

Comments

March 27, 2066, 8.20PM : Little Gion, Gisi (Zangyaku Power Base)

[larue]

[ This one's driving over a little past dinnertime and making his way to Little Gion to hunt you up. The month is nearly up and they've given you your space, but you can't sulk forever, Yulia.

You probably noticed him when he came in. That was deliberate on his part. The only people that deserve sneaking up on are those who have it coming. You don't. It's been a rough month for your pride. ]

I swear, everytime I come here I'm reminded of Shin Yamatai.

[ He can joke about that now. He looks back fondly and with less facepalming than he used to.

Have Here's one Josh LaRue sliding into the seat opposite you. He's already gesturing for another bottle of sake. He's going to need it, if he's going to successfully drag you out of your slump. ]

[bostova]

Including, or excluding, vampires who flirt with you?

[ She was there, she remembers the vampires making eyes and loud (and some even lewd) remarks about you. She was also there when everyone else talked about their loves, lost or otherwise. Except her. No one found out about that one until much later.

She pushes the ash tray close to you as well, so you won't have to reach too far in case you wanted a stick or several. She has an idea why you're around, of course, so she doesn't ask. She doesn't even make a move to leave, you'd only follow; so she allows your company at her favorite izakaya. ]

[larue]

Excluding. [ Saying that with a smile. ] The Whisperers more than make up for the lack of vampires.

[ He'll lean back into his seat and fish out his smokes and lighter.

Might as well go straight to the point: ] I need a patrol buddy and I've decided to nominate you.

[bostova]

They only do it to tease you.

[ She tucks her hair back behind her ear before she passes you a cup. Sake is the drink for tonight, and, Whisperer that she is, pours for you.



...But of course, this is Yulia Bostova you're talking to: ] No.

[larue]

[ He'd be lying if he said that he wasn't expecting this. This is you. It's kind of a given. ]

Ask your price.

[ You'd know him well enough that he wouldn't say that if he wasn't serious about getting you back on your feet. ]

[bostova]

[ She pours herself some sake this time, and takes a sip from her cup. ]

I'm not sure you can afford me right now, LaRue.

[ She's going to make this difficult, just because she can. ]

[larue]

Ask anyway.

[ He'd have been genuinely surprised if you weren't.

He's not going to touch his drink just yet. He is, however, lighting up a stick. ]

[bostova]

An 13th-century Tanto.

None of those replica bullshit, either.

[larue]

[ How the hell he will acquire one, he has no clue, but he'll find a way.

Or he'll call Taning. Or better: he'll talk to Makoto. And beg.

Worse comes to worst, he'll check in with Hikaru. Or Kaizen. ]

You'll need to give me time to find it. Six months, after you agree to join me for patrol.

[ He needs a loose enough time frame. Acquiring something as specific as that needs time. ]

[bostova]

[ She tilts her head slightly to the side; she's thinking about it. And also deliberately stretching the silence. Mostly silence, anyway, as she's tapping the side of her cup with a finger. ]

Three months, and I'll join you.

[ Do you:
a. Accept
b. Negotiate
c. Give Up ]

[larue]

Five.

[ Three months is pushing it. He has people he can consult, but he'd rather not run himself ragged in case the can't help him on this. ]

I can't believe you're turning down an opportunity to fight.

[bostova]

[ And she can't believe you haven't figured out that she's joshing you around. Haha, joshing Josh-- it's funny, okay. ]

Two and a half months, and one night on patrol.

[ Here, have a smile. She's actually fine with six, but it's fun to tease you. Not that you could probably tell.

And yes, she's serious about the tanto. ]

[larue]

[ And you are... smiling.

Okay, he's going to lean back and shake his head. ]

How about I just get it for you by however means possible and you and I make a practice of patrolling every Saturday night.

[ He has a lot to make up for. To everyone, yes, but in some ways, you most of all. ]

[bostova]

Get it for me in three months, and I will agree.

[ Only because she likes making your life hard :) ]

[larue]

[ Yeah, he's going to go and beg Hikaru for help with this. ]

I guess I'll go give Kaz a call then. Your price is steeper than I remember.

[bostova]

No, you won't.[ She smiles, picks her cup for a sip. ]

You are probably already thinking of how to get the tanto for me.

And besides, you wouldn't want to disturb Kaz's Yuka time. And Estanislao is in space, Brigade still on his pilgrimage, and you are not going to ask Brianna.

[larue]

[ This face, Bostova.

After a while though, he'll send you a smile. ]

Two sticks and then let's go?

[ Yes, he'll get your tanto. Somehow. ]

[bostova]

Of course.

[ She is so not done making your life hell :D ]

Glad to do business with you, LaRue.

[larue]

[ What does it say about him that he actually missed you making his life hell?

Shaking his head now as he goes back to taking a drag from his stick.

After a little bit though: ] How long have you been moping here?

[ Saying that lightly, but most definitely with a touch of concern. ]

[bostova]

[ She lights up a stick of her own. ]

Every weekend since. [ Since you know what happened. ] Give or take a few nights. [ No point in hiding that, really. ]

[larue]

[ Tilting his head a little as he watches you. He knows, he was there. It had been difficult to watch. The discrepancy in power was clear between you and the Scatterblade. He had hoped that it wouldn't hit you as hard as it did, because he's invested in the idea of seeing you take a place in the Searing Wind. ]

You could have called me. [ He would have gladly kept you company. ]

[bostova]

I could have. [ She just shrugs, and smokes her stick. ] But someone else got me started on the alcohol, and I just didn't want to stop.

[larue]

[ A tilt of the head now, accompanied with a slight narrowing of eyes.

The question is written all over his face: Who?

Give him a break, he's your best friend. He would have liked to have been around for you as a way to make up for things last year. ]

[bostova]

[ She'll just smile and take a drink from her cup. Use your Maenad contacts, Josh. You might hear something interesting. ]

And what have you been doing lately?

[larue]

[ He'll do that, mostly because he's curious. He's due to drop in at Haven at some point anyway, maybe he can pick something up from the grapevine there. ]

Not much. Just the usual: office, home.

[ Things between him and Hikaru have improved significantly in the last few weeks. In some way, caring for the little girl they have at home gives them something to work on together. ]