[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

[burneddread]

I see.

[ Cue Lancelot glancing over at Minato and pointing at himself. His Card only smiles. ]

Don't worry, Lancelot. I know you need to stretch your legs.

[ Besides: his style on the field is different from Josh's. He gets it. ]

[larue]

[ He'll walk over and reach up to pat Lancelot on one armored arm. The Persona might look like a big and scary hunk of armor, but truth be told, he reminds Josh a little of that character from that anime Kaz made him watch once.

Turning back to Minato now. ]

Glad to see you in the city. Not inclined to party tonight?

[burneddread]

Well, everyone else I know wants to party. I figured that I'd do them a favor.

[ And then, with That Innocent Smile: ]

I WAS going to include YOU in that number, but now...

[larue]

[ A-ah... he's stopping mid-drag when you bring that up and a sheepish smile not long after. ]

Didn't feel up to partying this year.

[ He'd already celebrated Independence Day with his people, and if he was looking for festivities he didn't have to wander very far from Falner. ]

And, [ a beat. ] Hikaru has duty... so...

[ Yeah. ]

[burneddread]

What about after?

[ :D

#notdonewithyouyet ]

[larue]

[ Minato pls. ]

After... [ a sheepish smile ] Hikaru and I are gonna catch up at home.

[ Sigh, but not really. ] You've probably heard something about a recent lifestyle change on our part about yay high? [ He's doing a little gesture to roughly how tall Lyall is. ]

[burneddread]

Yeah, I heard the news around. She's a Changeling child?

[ Looking a little serious now. Those cases are always, always difficult. ]

[larue]

[ A nod from this one. His blademate, as you know, is a Changeling. They thought they had lost her, once. Lyall is much younger, and possibly more damaged than Brianna had been. ]

Her name's Lyall. [ He chuckles and shakes his head. The smile doesn't quite reach his eyes. ] She's a sweetheart.

I don't think she's used to me though.

[ It's been months, and she still either defaults to 'sir' or finds some way of skirting around actually calling him by his name. ]

[burneddread]

[ Nodding sagely. ]

That sort of thing does tend to take a bit of time. How is she with Hikaru-san, though?

[ Because also concerned. The Blade King is a friend whom Minato owes much to. ]

[larue]

[ He can feel Leo pacing around in his head. They're both of like mind where it concerns Lyall and Hikaru. It's difficult to watch sometimes, how those two move around each other. ]

Careful. It seems the most appropriate word. I've no doubt that she loves him and would do anything that he asked of her. [ And therein lies the rub. ] Even to her detriment.

[ He's finishing his stick and going for another. ]

She believes she owes him her life. [ He gets her sentiments, but that doesn't mean that he doesn't worry sometimes, how damaging that kind of thinking is, for a kid. ] Sad thing is... in a way she does? I've checked in with Bri and Alistair.

[burneddread]

Oh?

[ Definitely curious now, even if he can kind of guess at what happened. Hikaru Shinta has the tendency to be into the business of saving lives at all cost, especially if it's at a personal cost to his own well-being.

...Jessiah really ought to talk to Hikaru about that, but they're also similar, and it's not like Minato was any better? So. ]

[larue]

Yeah. [ A weighted pause. ] You know those dog fights from... I dunno... decades ago? [ He's sure that there are probably some still, who keep the practice, in far-flung places, but generally they're considered inhumane. ] The ones where you breed pit-bulls and mongrels to be vicious.

[ Lips pressing together now. ] That's the closest analogy I can think of.

[ There's the distinct feeling of Leo pawing at him, asking in more action than actual words, that he would like Josh's blessing to step out. Because he could, all on his own, but he understands his Card's preferences.

( You are compromised, Joshua. She has taken your heart hostage as well, without intending to. )

Alright then.

And just like that, a large, golden lion is stepping around from behind Joshua LaRue and ducking under the Card's palm so that Josh has no choice but to scratch behind his ears lightly. ]

Alright, you overgrown cat. Arisato-san, this is Leo. I don't think I've introduced you guys before.

[burneddread]

[ Watching that entrance with a smile, and reaching down to briefly cup the big lion's chin under one hand as if he's more a housecat than a feline predator. ]

Hi there. I'm Minato.

[ And then, with a jerk of his thumb behind him to the vigorously waving suit of armor: ]

That's Lancelot. It's nice to meet you, and I'm speaking for the both of us.

[larue]

[ That yawn is not that he is bored, good sir. He is expressing his appreciation for that very nice scratch. He'll also turn to Lancelot and send the suit of armor a long look of acknowledgement. This is how he expresses his regard.

On the other hand, Josh is scratching lightly under his ear, amused, and also a little relieved to have Leo close at hand. ]

This one's been helping out at home. Lyall's more comfortable with him out, so he has free rein of the house when I'm in.

[ Large cat > Adult human, apparently. Go figure. ]

[burneddread]

That must mean that he has his own words on the situation too, then?

[ Which is kind of a Minato Prompt for I am listening to you and treating you with the respect that you deserve. Besides, that Leo actually got Josh to have him step out must be significant. ]

[larue]

[ Oh he likes this one, Josh, but then you do tend to surround yourself with Quality People. Look at Hikaru, for one. And then the Hounds. And well, he shouldn't be surprised, really, you're from Rhiannon and he likes everyone there.

( I do. And thank you, Arisato-san. )

He'll sit his butt down and let you both smoke a little longer, by the way. He doubts that anything eventful will happen tonight. When you both decide to walk more, he will stand again.

( In spite of your own worries, Joshua -- yours and the Blade King's, since they go hand-in-hand. I believe that you are both not giving yourselves enough credit.

The child is damaged. And she moves on instinct. There is much that she is resistant to accepting because of how viciously she was treated. )

There's a low rumble in that last part. He was watching and waiting in those first few months, observing. He has had enough time with human children because Angela Brennan is a lioness all her own. The twins act like children, Lyall is a wounded animal. ]

[burneddread]

[ Well, since you're all idle now... going for another cigarette, yep.

Listening quietly, as well, to what Leo is saying, as promised. ]

Falner is a good place for her to stay in for a while, then. It doesn't sound like she's ready for the rest of the world just yet.

[larue]

[ A sigh from this one. ]

It is. [ Thoughtfully watching the smoke from his cigarette now. ] She starts school on Monday though. So that's a step towards something, at least.

[burneddread]

Oh, so she's starting school too?

[ There's clear approval in his voice too. Balamb has been consistent, thus far, in putting out the best of the best, and being a safe haven for many special cases. ]

Yeah, that's probably going to help her a lot.

[larue]

[ Have a helpless smile your way from this one. ]

Didn't think I'd have to worry about first day jitters for the next couple of years.

[ Because, baby siblings.

He runs his hand a little nervously through his hair at that. ] Lyall's a sweet kid. And Hikaru cares about her a lot so... [ A shrug as he idly pats the top of Leo's head. ]

[burneddread]

[ Hmm. ]

The three of you would make a cute family, you know.

[ No, he doesn't have to meet Lyall in order to say that. ]

[larue]

[ ...

Wait did you just-- ]

I-- [ ARISATO-SAN WHY ] --I dunno about that.

[burneddread]

[ Blinks, perfectly innocent. ]

You mean you don't think that you do?

[larue]

[ Is there actually an answer that works for that question?

Yes, but he doesn't want to jump the gun. He's never denied the truth of things that he'd like a family of his own, it's just... it's one of those things that you shelves and put aside when your significant other might not be ready for that sort of thing emotionally.

Thoughtful now, because you've made him pause to think on it. ]

I guess... [ wetting his lips before he worries at his bottom lip. ] I guess I just don't want to think along those lines just yet.

[ There's a quiet look in his eyes when he lifts them to yours. ]

The whole situation's [ a breath now ] complicated.

[burneddread]

[ Making a thoughtful noise, taking another drag from his cigarette, ans turning away to scan the streets around you both.

After a bit of a pause: ]

Is it because of Lyall-chan's condition, or is it something else?

[ Or is it both? He's distinctly remembering that Rhiannon Board Meeing in Tokyo. The one where you came in late and Hikaru looked like he wanted to curl up and die quietly somewhere. ]