[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

[bloodsinger]

It certainly feels like.

[ And somehow she's past the half of the first bottle. This conversation is keeping her interested. ]

So you know a good deal of stuff about me, but I hardly know a thing about you.

[scatterblade]

Well, I'm not sure where to start.

[ Her life is kinda complicated... ]

Ask me whatever you like?

[ She means it. ]

[bloodsinger]

Well, I know you're Liana the Bladian, from Zangyaku...but what do you actually do there?

[ She doesn't mind complicated. ]

[scatterblade]

I'm the Scatterblade of the Searing Wind, and I also happen to be the head of the Senshi Division in Gisi.

[ Sip. ]

Have you been to Gisi yet?

[bloodsinger]

What does being the Scatterblade mean?

[ She's truly curious now. ]

Not yet.

[scatterblade]

I see.

[ And then, since she asked: ]

"Scatterblade" is my title, actually. You earn a place within the Searing Wind by fighting, and you gain a title that reflects your nature, or the sort of role that you play for the Blade King.

[bloodsinger]

[ She listens, grinning a bit at the mention of titles. Everyone seemed to have one. ]

So your blade...scatters?

[ Wow Sophie, wow. ]

Huh.

[scatterblade]

Among other things.

[ Something about Liana's smile coupled with the look in her eye, at that point, hints at much, much more, particularly on the scale of Pretty Fucking Crazy on the Battlefield. ]

We're the elite taskforce of Zangyaku. A Ceremony is held every year to determine who its members are.

[bloodsinger]

Yeah, I guess we Bladians really do step into "among other things" quite often.

[ She has the feeling Liana means something a lot crazier than she's thinking though. ]

So it changes every year? Hm.

[scatterblade]

There's a chance for it to change every year.

[ A bit of an emphasis on 'a chance'. ]

Most of us tend to keep our positions until we decide to step down for ourselves.

[bloodsinger]

[ She's silent for a moment. ]

I guess it would be like trying to beat an elite at their own game, yeah.

[scatterblade]

Pretty much.

[ Smiling, swirling the contents of her glass about with an idle twist of her wrist. ]

I've only recently come back. I kind of died during the Darkest Vigil, so.

[ #nobigdeal ]

[bloodsinger]

Uh.

[ Is that a thing. ]

You certainly seem to be taking it well, so...cool?

[scatterblade]

[ Chuckles. ]

I prefer to look at the brighter side to things, especially since coming back has given me second chances in a lot of directions.

[bloodsinger]

Well, coming back from the dead...it basically embodies the meaning of getting a second chance, right?

[ She wants to ask why, but it somehow feels rude. ]

[scatterblade]

Pretty much.

[ And flagging down a waiter for a bottle of Jack this time. It'll save her the trouble of always asking for seconds anyway. ]

Well, enough about that topic for now. Did you want to know anything else?

[bloodsinger]

Yulia Bostova.

[ She's not even going to hide the fact she had been meaning to ask. ]

I think she's going to be my mentor. Help? Advice? Gossip?

[scatterblade]

[ Oho. ]

Did she say, explicitly, that she was going to mentor you?

[ Please excuse her. She is finding this a little hard to believe. ]

[bloodsinger]

I might have suggested it to her after annoying her with conversation she was not looking for...and then used the fact we're not particularly friendly to convince her.

[ FLAWLESS LOGIC. ]

[scatterblade]

[ Welp. ]

Well, she's my sister in the Hunt, so I'd honestly prefer not to say anything.

[ Yep: Zangyaku down to the bone. ]

[bloodsinger]

[ That's not encouraging at all. (!!!) ]

Not even good things? She does look...strong, or else I wouldn't have asked her.

Ah, whatever. I'll find out what I've gotten myself into eventually.

[ This is how Sophie deals with 99.9% of things. She's also finishing the first bottle now. ]

[scatterblade]

[ Yes, you most certainly will, love. ]

Mm. She did not get her mask from Hikaru himself for nothing.

[bloodsinger]

[ All things Hikaru Shinta are a big deal, she knows that. ]

I'm screwed, aren't I?

[ She shouldn't look so happy while she says that, but she does. It's weird. ]

[scatterblade]

And yet you look pleased.

[ Most curious. ]

[bloodsinger]

If you're going through Hell...might as well get your kicks out of it.

[ That's not the quote. At all. ]