[Semi-Open, Major Event] Handshakes, handshakes all around

[takeitinstride]

WHO: Liandrin Delacroix (+ the occasional Malice King) and Batch 001 for the Mandatory Interviews; others can drop in as they like
WHAT: The Kaiser of Netsach spends the day conducting mandatory interviews for Falner's latest batch of residents
WHERE: The Kaiser's Office
WHEN: Sunday, 13 June 2066 (or for some cases, depending on the time you show up, the whee hours of the morning of Monday, 14 June 2066)
SAFE FOR WORK? Yep.
OTHER NOTES:
+ Anyone who wasn't pinged for the mandatory interviews in Dove's post can drop in on the pretense that they're speaking to Lia in between interviews.
+ Please include the time that you drop by in the subject line of your comment.
+ Each interviewee will actually be observed by another NPC in the office. The NPC will be different per character, but they will always be another Malice King. Pammu will integrate their reactions into Lia's responses - unless, of course, the NPC in question is played by one of the other mods.
+ Anyone who actually comes in after midnight will still respond to this post, just to make sure that all of the interviews are in one place.


[ There is always a line outside of the office no matter what time it is; there are a lot of newcomers to Falner this month, and every new person who's been allowed to stay on the estate since January is required to speak to the Kaiser today.

Once you get inside, regardless of when you come in for your interview, you're going to find Liandrin in gradients of this position: at her desk, barreling through more paperwork for Netsach, the Pleiades or any of the other organizations that she belongs to. Sometimes she has something to nibble on. She also always has tea or - for the evening interviews - wine.

Aidan Clayce's desk and Riley Falner's desks are unoccupied. Beyond the observer that she has invited for your interview, this exchange is meant to be confidential. ]

Comments

Roll Perception.

[takeitinstride]

[ It's a good thing she can read your mind, and that she doesn't have to call you out on anything. ]

Good.

[ And since she can read your mind... ]

Why the sudden interest?

[takeitinstride]

I believe that I can make a way for that. How do regular check-ins on the situation sound to you? I admit that we've been rather busy, which would explain why work in that area has been slow.

[ You are, after all, not the only child with difficult and peculiar circumstances that has appeared on Netsach's radar.

She'll tackle that bit about your desire to help out after this. ]

Wits + Composure (9d, rote) = 4 successes

[deadline]

I... how to say. Well. I don't know how many Hunters had to die on my account. Several of them, I killed myself. "I didn't know any better" [She actually puts airquotes around that; she learned this from her sister-in-law] sounds like such a hollow excuse, though? I want to live, but I want to atone. My dying serves no one. Maybe I can serve a better purpose.

[She's aware that she just babbled, but she couldn't stop. Ever since she was brought back to the land of the living, she's felt like an outsider with a burden. Give her a chance to tell you of those burdens and she could talk your ear off, all day.]

[takeitinstride]

[ As you are talking, you'll feel another pair of eyes on you. The source appears to be Lorenzo. If you ever turn around to check, though, it looks like he's fallen asleep.

On Liandrin's end, though, she is listening to you quietly. By the time you finished, she has a look of approval on her face. ]

You are aware, I hope, of the possibility that you may lose your life in this Vigil, and that not everyone may be so ready to forgive you based on what has happened in the past.

[ Many operatives with special cases turn to the Vigil hoping for a fresh start. They don't always get it. ]

[deadline]

[Okay that's... definitely weird. She's had a lifetime so far of learning when to tell if something that could eat her is around. It was definitely that kind of feeling.

A tiny bit shaken, but probably not visibly so, she responds, after a bit of thought.]

I think... I think that those who would forgive me would forgive me, and those that won't, won't. But for those who aren't on either side, then at least I have put myself somewhere I can maybe be forgiven.

[She blinks, then looks down, looking somewhat ashamed.]

I am also doing this for myself.

[takeitinstride]

Good that you are, because if it was just for other people, I would tell you to reconsider.

[ It isn't selfish. That's simply how things should be. ]

Might I give you a bit of advice, though?

[deadline]

Always, Kaiser.

[And she does mean it. You understand her well, anyhow.]

[takeitinstride]

Forgiveness always starts with yourself, and being forgiven always starts with believing that you can be.

[ Measuring you with a look now. ]

I hope that you have taken a step in both of those directions already.

[lyall]

Yes, ma'am.

[ There is a moment's hesitation though, before she adds softly: ]

I have been learning how to read from my King. [ Strange, how speaking of her lord with his title feels odd in this room. Especially to the Kaiser who he seems to regard with the same kind of unspoken affection as he does his beloved and the Seer. ] I still have a hard time with some words... but I will make sure not to fall behind.

[ She tugs at the sleeves of her coat a little. ]

[magicmissile]

That'll be fu-- great, actually. Every week? Or every other week. That's good enough... I mean, 'cause every day would be too much right? And you are kinda busy and all, being the Kaiser.

[ What he probably means is that he really wouldn't mind seeing you everyday----- fuck she can still read minds. UH-- LOOK, KITSUNE WITH 48 TAILS WOW THAT'S RARE RIGHT? ]

[takeitinstride]

I'm not too surprised to hear that. Nevertheless, never hesitate to ask me when something does not make sense, or if you are unfamiliar with a word or an idea.

[ She is firm about that: you'll hear that in her voice, and see it in her eyes. ]

Special Cases is about making sure that everyone in the program emerges from it with a knowledge of who they really are, and the skills that they need in order to live properly. It is not a competition.

[takeitinstride]

[ A light quirk of the lips at that. ]

Every day would be excessive not because we are busy, but because I doubt that news will come that quickly on the matter.

[magicmissile]

....And that, yeah. Totally meant that too.

[ #doomed

Time for a change of topic. ]

So uh. What's its name? The kitsune.

[lyall]

[ She's attentive the whole time you speak, even as she's doing her best not to curl her fingers over her lap.

That last bit though, is something she finds incredibly reassuring, so when she looks up at you, you'll see her thanks plain in her eyes.

Her opinion of Falner is only being enforced: Everyone here is so terribly kind. ]

I will. [ Nodding now. ] Thank you, Kaiser. I will try my best not to be a disappointment.

[bloodsinger]

[ Of course she said "we". Of course. ]

I have been reading on it. [ A little too defensively, alright. ]

Not nearly enough, of course, but yeah, way better than when I first arrived, not to mention I have talked to a few of their members...one of which is my mentor, if she doesn't change her mind.

[ She needs to talk to Yulia. She doesn't want to, but alas. ]

[outstanding]

[ Oh hey Riley is here.

...OH MY GOD MR. FALNER IS HERE.

Ella freezes for only one second, making a nice recovery that surprises herself a little. she then finishes walking in and sits quietly. ]

Good evening to both of you. Ms. Delacroix, Mr. Falner.

[takeitinstride]

Anustes. She is an old friend of mine.

[ "Friend", not pet. Since, well. You seemed to have that impression.

Setsuna Shinta, in the meantime, is chuckling in Lia's head. ]

Back to business. Have you managed to find a mentor yet? Balamb usually assesses your performance during class and assigns you one, but you have had contact with a number of our registered mentors already.

[mordechai]

We both doubt that you will be.

[ It seems as though he's decided to speak up. Taking a drag from his cigarette before speaking again. ]

There are a number of kids in Special Cases this year, and I know them personally. You'll be fine, Lyall.

[takeitinstride]

[ What an intriguing shift. Have you noticed that, Hikaru?

"Yes. We can talk about it another time." ]

And who would that be?

[ Interested to know how Sophie found a mentor, yep. ]

[takeitinstride]

Good evening.

[ And now she'll finish her reading and leave Riley to speak to you, if he has anything to say. ]

[deadline]

My brother... he could have died when he went to come get me. Seeing his happiness now makes it hard to forgive myself for putting him in a place where he could have lost all he has, now. I understand it's a choice he made, and will keep making, but then, those other choices aren't about me.

[Is she being self-centered? Maybe. Or maybe she's just being self-aware.]

I already think I am worth saving. If I did not, I might as well die, because there would have been no point to saving me. But to forgive myself... it will take time.

[And then she remembers who she's talking to.]

But, um. Yes, I think... I have taken some steps? I am not sure, but I think so...

[bloodsinger]

Yulia Bostova.

[ This is gonna be good. ]

Although I've been advised to secure further confirmation from her. Like, probably make her sign something, perhaps.

[lyall]

[ u-u UM.

UM. ]

Thank... you.

[ Her cheeks hurt. It's probably because she is trying so hard to resist the really earnest smile that she is sure will come out awful.

Give her a bit.

Okay. There.

Looking back to the Kaiser now. ] It will be an honor to learn new things under you, Kaiser. [ A beat. ] You and the rest of the other teachers in Balamb.

[takeitinstride]

That's enough by my assessment.

[ Smiling a little. ]

I suppose our next order of business will be to help you find a mentor, then.

[takeitinstride]

[ "...Huh."

News to you?

"Yes." ]

That would, indeed, be advisable. [ A light arch of her eyebrows. ] How exactly did she agree to this?

[ Blunt Kaiser is blunt. ]