[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

[kyriff]

But I'm taking a break right now.

[ And because he knows that you're weak to that look, he is persisting.

Yeah, he's learning. That is probably dangerous. ]

[larue]

[ Cue internal keysmash. ]

It's kind of... a... um-- [ he's going to lean in and murmur it right at the space by your shoulder ] --I need your thoughts on something. And it's pretty important.

To me.

[ Yes, hedging. You also know him well enough that this probably concerns a certain party that you're both acquainted with. ]

[kyriff]

[ ...Welp. Catching that. ]

What's up?

[ Although he can kind of already guess at what this might be about now... ]

[larue]

[ Rethe WHY

A puff from his cig, and then he's turning his gaze to the crowd of people in the club. Textbook Josh LaRue Feelings Tells. ]

How'd you feel about-- [ hnggh, this is hard ] --settling down with Aidan.

[kyriff]

[ Okay, yeah. He definitely knows what this is about.

Smiling at Josh in that special Rethe Kyriff sort of way, and sipping from his drink before he responds. ]

I felt incredibly fulfilled. Kind of like everything made sense?

[larue]

[ He is so dead. You are so mean. Stop that. ]

So-- [ nervously lifting that beer back to his lips now ] --um.

...Yeah.

[kyriff]

Yeah...?

[ Affectionately scooting in close to bump his shoulder to yours. It's so very hard not to grin --

-- okay no he isn't even going to stop himself. #sorrynotsorry ]

[larue]

[ He is going to look ( maybe -- no, scratch that; he definitely is ) a little red by the ears now. And the look he's sending over is a mix of sheepish and apologetic. ]

Don't tell anyone?

[ Stan already almost slipped this afternoon, and he hasn't really checked back in with the other three who already know. After all, this is coming close to two years delayed.

--Okay, well. ]

I can't stop you though if you want to tell... um. Aidan.

[ The man is your husband and someone he respects a damn great deal. ]

[kyriff]

[ He is so happy now he can't even.

So he won't.

He's just going to hug you now. ]

[larue]

[ And for a moment, he stiffens out of surprise and then he laughs and hugs you back. ]

I've had it for two years. But... stuff.

[ He sounds a little wibbly, but given the stuff that's gone down since, can you blame him? ]

But yeah... I just want to wait a little bit and see how things go this year.

[kyriff]

[ Please excuse your BFF if, when he draws back, he looks a little wibbly himself. ]

That's fair.

[ uwu ]

I'm so happy for you, Josh!

[larue]

[ RETHE PLS

Does he look a bit embarrassed and sheepish and close enough to blush?

He most definitely does. ]

You might want to say that for if I get him to say 'yes'.

[ Yep. 'If'. He wants it, but he knows that this kind of thing needs two to make it work. ]

[kyriff]

[ Huh. Now he is confused. ]

But why wouldn't he say yes?

[ Was he missing something here? ]

[larue]

[ uwu Dude, why are you like that.

Is he actually nervously worrying at his lower lip? Most definitely. ]

So... so you think he'll say yes.

[ Sorry, Rethe. Your best friend is kind of dumb sometimes when it comes to these things. ]

[kyriff]

I'm pretty sure he will. I mean...

[ Trailing off, looking a little sad. ]

He was a mess last year, you know. You mean a lot to him.

[ And he's only ever seen that with Alistair and Liandrin. Aria and Makoto only came close. ]

[larue]

[ Pressing his lips together at that. ]

He means a lot to me.

[ Looking down at his beer now. ] I just wanted to get my shit together, and the longer I stayed away, the harder it got.

[ Have a wan smile your way now. ]

The gifts were a dumb idea, I know.

[kyriff]

In retrospect? I guess they were. I know you meant well, though.

[ Smiling right back at. It's okay, Josh. owo ]

[larue]

[ Bumping his am back against yours now. ]

You give the best pep talks, you know that?

[ Taking a swig of that bottle again. ]

Anyway, don't let me keep you. [ A grin from this one. ] Your adoring public might be waiting and wondering who the shit the guy in the obnoxious red suit is.

[kyriff]

He's my best friend, that's what.

[ Finishing the rest of his drink, and leaning in briefly to kiss Josh on the cheek before sliding off of his stool. ]

Take care, okay?

[larue]

I will.

[ He ducks his head a little, because that surprised him, a little. But then again, this is you.

Here's one thing you won't hear though, as he watches you head back over to the booth.

( Hm. I think I can now frame that particular memory of yours, Joshua. Rethe is rather captivating, and it is not just the fact that he is an Angel. )

Have the internal equivalent of a swat to the nose, Leo.

( I will take that as my cue to shut my proverbial trap. )

Turning to the bartender now. ]

One more Corona, thanks.