[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

24/7 Patrols for Hunters.

[geistnet]

Just because it's Independence Day, it doesn't mean the Vigil stops working!

OTA, all day & all night

[fidelias]

[ If you're moving around the Baywalk, you're going to see this guy in the same place all the time: sitting on the Coastal Wall, smoking from a Japanese pipe. He has a falcon on his shoulder, and appears to be enjoying the magical reenactments of the signature battles of the Darkest Vigil over the waters.

...You may also note that in his immediate vicinity, people committing petty crimes usually end up falling to the ground, convulsing until they're picked up by today's patrolmen. Is he doing that? Probably. ]

[bladeweaver]

[Of course, your son is watching the reenactment as well, because Boom and Kapow and Pew Pew. And then people start dropping. Is that you...?

Eh, why doesn't he just go over and say hi and ask?

Have a Taning sitting beside you on the coastal wall suddenly, pulling out a smoke and offering one to you.]

Hey Dad, is that you putting palsy spells on people?

[fidelias]

[ Lifting an eyebrow at you, and smiling a little when he sees that stick. He'll ditch the pipe for now, then. ]

I am wounded by your accusations, son.

[bladeweaver]

[It's glad to see you enjoying yourself, old man.]

So... yes? [Laughs.] How have you been? It's been a while.

[fidelias]

It has been.

[ Reaching out to clap your shoulder. ]

I am well, as always.

[ Also surprisingly not killing criminals or blowing any limbs off of them. You can thank Asami for that. ]

OTA, morning afternoon an' evenin' kids.

[duskrider]

[ Say what you will, but patrol on Independence Day? It's kind of fun.

You're in the thick of the festivities, he's got kegs of beer at his feet ( 'cos you know, riskbreakers don't get drunk ) and he gets to watch the young'uns have a taste of dealing with the masses. ]

During the Afternoon

[anteayer]

[And not too far off, he is standing off to one side as he's keeping watch on the immediate area, making sure that no one disrupted the festivities when they're at their most vibrant. The little green dragon perched on his shoulder was just as vigilant despite his talkative and jovial mood.

"Wow! It's sure starting to get really crowded, isn't it. Right, Gray?" Temo asks, but when he doesn't hear a reply, he's glancing at his partner curiously. "Gray?"

Gray's managing a nod before sweeping his gaze over his surroundings again, his thoughts and feelings skillfully masked. Anyone with a keen eye, though, might catch the nostalgia and wistfulness in his eyes.]

[duskrider]

[ This one's having a cigarette as he oversees things. He spotted you earlier, but didn't want to interrupt. There are kind of a ton of you around tonight and he doesn't like playing babysitter ( standard patrol, boys and girls. )

He will, however, wander over. ]

Doin' alright there, Magallanes?

[ And there's a nod of acknowledgement and a smile for both you and that dragon of yours. ]

[anteayer]

[He jumps a bit in surprise when he hears that, and he snaps out of his observations (and reminiscing) to glance over with a spooked look, one that turns into a more sheepish expression when he realized who it was]

Inquisitor Duskrider! I... Uh... [it takes him a moment to compose himself before nodding in return] Si... Yeah. I'm doing alright here.

[duskrider]

You're looking a mite serious there, my friend.

[ He's going to light up a cigarette and then offer you his pack in case you want one. ]

Enjoying the party?

[ Patrols during Independence Day are usually quiet. Ish. Besides, he spotted Tohru Fukuzawa sometime ago. That man kind of makes keeping a watch for petty crime obsolete. ]

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.]

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. ]

OTA, 6PM onwards

[ktotheatothez]

[ Kaz is the one between him and Nico who're on patrol this year. He's on the eastern end of the wall. He's been sending off his younger brothers and sisters in violence to have fun after being here all day.

He blames Josh for the meticulous way he has the Lions out and about. It's a good kind of blame, though. They can patrol AND still enjoy themselves. ]

OTA, 6AM to 5PM

[riskythunder]

[ Losing a spectacular game of rock-paper-scissors to one's husband will land you with morning patrol, but then, Nico would've lost to Kaz anyway just to be able to see his family curled up and sleeping.

He'd snapped a photo of them on his way out, and you'll probably find him on the west end of baywalk, directing younger Oni-Tsukai to move sans masks unless necessary. ]

OTA, 8:00 - 10PM. Makati City.

[larue]

[ You'll spot this one taking what seems to be a leisurely walk around the general Makati Area and the Central Business District. He's in his his work clothes still, so he looks like your typical business man -- with the exception that that is a really red suit. ]

[burneddread]

[ So while you're moving through an alleyway, you'll spot a very familiar armored figure crossing over the mouth of the alley right in front of you --

-- and then it does a double take, notices you, and lifts one gauntleted hand in your direction for a vigorous wave. Then it's turning to his companion, and pointing in your direction.

Minato comes around a moment later, mainly by peeking just over the wall. Cue smile. ]

Working tonight?

[ Like he isn't. Welp. ]

[larue]

[ Oh, Lancelot. Sometimes, he can't with you. ]

Hey, Minato. Pretty much.

[ He was just about to light up a cigarette. ]

[burneddread]

[ Here: let him light up for you, since he was already walking towards you. ]

No date?

[ Since, yanno. ]