[Open, Major Event] 12 June 2066

[geistnet]

Over the course of the last week, you'll have likely noticed the buzz and excitement that's been building all around Metro Manila -- if you've been around awhile, you know what time of the year it is. If you're new: well, this is an experience you're sure to enjoy.

The festive mood surrounding Philippine Independence Day is hard to miss. Wander around the metropolis and you'll note that the streets are filled with tourists and locals; turn one corner and you'll see parades, turn another and you may be treated to performances set up on strategically placed stages.

As for Falner, the colors of the Philippine flag seem to be everywhere you look: the kids who live or study at the estate are mostly running around with their faces painted. If you wander down towards the Fair Grounds in the South District, there are a couple of booths set up offering anything from body paint and temporary tattoos to local delicacies. West District establishments The King's Rest and Liquidated also have special treats aligned with the theme of the day. There's also talk about the annual street party which will be held over at the Baywalk later this evening, and the younger initiates are abuzz over the yearly light show held over Manila Bay that showcase reenactments of all the major battles all the way up to the Darkest Vigil.

Independence Day is also not all that's being celebrated, because for Keepers of the Vigil and supernatural communities all over the world, today marks the second anniversary of Arcis Fortress City.

OOC NOTES FOR PLAYERS

Don't forget to mention in the subject heading if your threads are OTA (Open to All) or Closed, and the time in which the exchange takes place. Feel free to make a top-level comment of your own if none of the placeholders fit. For details on each of the locations found at the Falner Estate, here is a handy link!

Comments

[interceptive]

[ This girl has actually been sitting about a seat away from you for a while now, nursing a beer. She did not notice that you were muttering under your breath, but she has been quietly judging, in her own special way, the people who haven't been getting the answers right. In fact: ]

I can't believe they didn't get that one.

[ ...Oops. She said that out loud. Uh. ]

[magicmissile]

[ Rin nods, almost exaggeratedly. Finally, someone understands!! ]

Ugh, I know right? I fucking want to just-- uuugh! [ He makes a frustrated gesture with both of his hands, and decides to finally drink. He probably needs it anyway. ]

[interceptive]

[ Oh, you're talking to her. o_o

Cool. ]

Why didn't you join in?

[ It's okay to ask you that, right... ]

[magicmissile]

All teams were fucking full when I got here. [ He shrugs. ] Besides, who's gonna take some newbie kid who's only starting at Balamb?

[interceptive]

[ Welp.

A little shyly: ]

Well... I would have taken you on my team, if I had one.

[ She is kind of really new too, oops. ]

[magicmissile]

...Oh. [ He looks at her, like, really looks at her this time around. He... didn't expect that. ] Really?

[ Of course, this is where Madge pipes up, ] Oh, oh, Erin, are you making friends?

[interceptive]

[ She can't help but smile a little at your dragon. It's cute. ]

Yeah, I would. Can't take in just anybody, right? And you obviously know a lot, so.

[ You don't join a game unless you want to win, man. ]

[magicmissile]

[ Rin grins wide at that. She said he knew a lot. She's right. He's actually... proud of that. ]

Yeah, I kinda do. I'm fucking brilliant, if I do say so myself. [ He doesn't get to say that out loud often. Usually just with his siblings.

...And now he made himself sad. Brb, gonna finish this drink in one go. ]

[interceptive]

[ That makes her smile more, at first, because you saying something like that with such ease kind of reminds her of her brothers...

...And then she notices that look and the way you chug and. Welp.

C'mon, Segan! Let's not make things awkward! ]

Um. I'm Segan, by the way, Segan Brooke.

[magicmissile]

[ Oh, fuck, right, names! He gulps down the jack and coke, wipes his mouth with the bar napkin at least, then offers a hand to Segan. ]

Rin. Rin Faolain. Erin, actually, but just call me Rin. [ He's smiling again. ] Pleasure to meet you, Segan!

[interceptive]

[ Taking that hand and shaking it firmly. ]

It's a pleasure to meet you too!

[ Wow, making friends is actually easy here. This is kind of really awesome???

Oh, lifting her beer in your direction now. ]

Cheers?

[magicmissile]

[ He looks his glass, which barely even has a sip left. Oops? ]

Um. Hold that thought.

[ He waves down the bartender for a refill. When he gets it, he lifts his glass to Segan. ]

Cheers to the smart people.

[interceptive]

[ She'll cheers to that, all right.

Once you've both taken a swig: ]

What program are you in, Rin?

[magicmissile]

[ He sets his glass down, and being a stupid boy, uses his finger to swirl the ice around his glass. ]

The regular Special one. Would have tried the Advance Special classes, but I think I'd die.

Are you enrolled at Balamb too?

[interceptive]

Yeah. I'm a part of the Accelerated Special Cases Program.

[ Ehehe, the one you just said you'd die in. ]

[magicmissile]

[ His eyes widen, and it's because that's so awesome holy shit??? ]

Whoa, that's... whoa. Congratulations? I mean, I'd take that program, but I really, really think I'd die. There's like, combat classes and I can't even lift a gun. Or hit someone. I'd fucking break if I tried.

[interceptive]

[ Okay this feels kind of nice to have somebody think it's cool. She thinks it's cool, but her personal opinion on her own circumstances doesn't really count all the time??? ]

Thanks. [ Grinning a little. ] Learning how to fight is mostly just practice, though. I used to suck at it too.

[ And then her dad and her siblings stuck by her and taught her everything that they could. ]

[magicmissile]

I guess, but I'm really more brain than brawn.

[ And he knows he's got a limit.

Sort of.

In some ways. ]

...Maybe you can help me? With the whole fighting thing.

[interceptive]

Sure, I don't mind.

[ She does like helping people out. ]

I have a feeling, though, that the instructors you'll be getting in Special Cases will be able to teach you better. Maybe I could just give you pointers?

[magicmissile]

Pointers are good. I'll definitely take pointers, any and all you can give me.

I'd like not to die, really.

[interceptive]

Well, if you can help me with studying some of the more esoteric stuff, then you have yourself a deal.

[ She can do tech, but any other strangeness beyond that? She's got a long way to go there. ]

[magicmissile]

Yeah, why not? I'll teach you as much as I can about magic, and shit.

[ Grins ]

[interceptive]

Great! I guess for now, though, we can watch the fireworks.

[ And probably be judgy, because... yeah... ]

[magicmissile]

You mean judge the hell out of everyone getting their answers wrong, right?

[ Because that's more fun. ]

[interceptive]

[ Okay, fine, that is kind of fun.

Chuckling, and going for another swig of her drink. ]

That works for me too.