[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

OTA, the whole day

[naberus]

[There is a surly looking woman stalking the lengths of this... Falner Estate thing. Celebrations without blood are such boring affairs...

She ends up on the seawall, watching the reenactment of the Battle of Manila Bay. She just saw her soul mate (literal, in her case) blink off somewhere after talking with the Assassin. She'll bother him in a while.

She's just going to keep watching the reenactment until it ends. It's a glorious sight, in any case. Feel free to approach her, if the waves of potential menace she radiates doesn't end up turning you away.]

[therealbrianna]

[ This one is actually not scared of you. She's just never had the opportunity to sit down and talk to you before.

Better now than never, right? Have one Brianna Lopez falling into stride beside you. ]

Good evening, Naberius.

[ Dipping her head in respect, and smiling. Also holding out a full, unopened bottle of Baccardi 151.

She's done her research. ]

[naberus]

You need not be so formal with me, Lady Lopez. You are, after all, as near a sister to my owner as his own blood can be.

[She takes the bottle anyway, of course, cranks the lid off, and takes a long draught of the burning liquid inside.]

The gesture is appreciated, anyway.

[therealbrianna]

[ Uguu, you're making her blush! ]

You're welcome! I just figured that, y'know, you'd want something to drink while you're working.

[naberus]

[That is an awfully sensible attitude. Why Estanislao cannot be more like you, she really does not know.]

I do not think this constitutes working by any means. Only that the air around the kennel becomes rather stuffy at times, is all. Dogs such as myself need to walk.

[Yes, she just referred to the Marasigan-Fukuzawa household as her kennel.]

[therealbrianna]

[ Chuckling at that, because she's kind of really getting used to coarse soldier humor. ]

Do you mind some company? I've been asked to check on the establishments in this area tonight.

[naberus]

I do not mind.

[She really doesn't. She respects you a lot. She understood you better than Taning ever did about the fact of your leaving, a few years ago. He had ever been the Romantic, that man. Not this one. This one is cold pragmatic.]

Did you wish to discuss something?

[therealbrianna]

[ Um... ]

Not... really...?

[ Ehehehe. ]

[naberus]

Hmm. Talking is overrated, anyway.

[It's not, but she's fine with just your company, anyway. It's nice walking with a fellow wolf, even a... what's this time period's word for it? A ditzy one.]

[therealbrianna]

It can be, huh?

[ Sometimes! Um! With people like you! Yeah!

... orz

Now she is suddenly shy. ]

[naberus]

[She senses your discomfort and does not understand your reticence.

Go figure. The Most Eloquent Marquis of Hell, and then some.

Fine then, she will do the talking.]

How go your duties in Arcadia?

[therealbrianna]

[ Oh, you're talking! Okay, this is good~ ]

Pretty well. Selene and Tala take care of most of it these days, though.

[ Slight eyeroll there. ]

Good thing, too. I'm getting a little tired of all the Court stuff.

[naberus]

[Reading between the lines...]

There is a time for words and a time for swords, is that it?

late afternoon, sometime after she finishes up with Father Dragon

[lyall]

[ She has seen you before, and she knows that your soul is tied to the brother of her King.

This lowly one is bowing deeply to you in greeting, Marquis. ]

My Lady.

[naberus]

[Oh, the puppy that follows her liege.

Interesting.

Have a commensurately tiny bow in your direction.]

Good afternoon, Lyall.

[Yep. That's all.]

[lyall]

[ She will quietly step to one side to give you the path.

It is the proper thing to do, after all. ]

[naberus]

Would you like to walk with me, Lyall? There are some things that I want to ask about you.

[That sounds like a request, but it's really more of a thinly-veiled order, actually...]

[lyall]

[ ...

There, have another deferential bow, madame, in the unspoken manner of "as the Lady wishes." ]

[naberus]

Let us go, then.

[She does shorten her strides to match your walk, little girl. No need to make you scurry.]

How are you finding the Blade King's company?

[lyall]

[ ...Is this a trick question? ]

It is an honor to be here with my King.

[naberus]

But that is not an answer to my question, child.

[Yeah...]

[lyall]

[ That's actually going to get her to slow down a little, before she remembers not to do that. Not in the presence of one such as yourself.

But. This question.

When she speaks again, it is really, really soft. ]

I feel nothing but joy at the chance to be close to him.

[naberus]

Do you not think it a problem, then, child, that that is the only thing you feel at this chance?

[The ironic part here is that Naberius actually does not disapprove of you.]

[lyall]

[ ...D-did she get the answer wrong?

She's slowed to a stop now. ]

[naberus]

No need to look so distressed, child. It was a mere question.

[Which it wasn't, but you don't need to know that.]

We shall take this a step at a time. You say you feel only joy at the chance to be with the Blade King?