[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

[bloodsinger]

Yep.

{ Words, Sophie. }

R-right.

I mean...I guess it would be healthy to try and have some semblance of a "normal" life, too? [ She remembers Liana's words. ] But I want to be a Keeper of the Vigil.

[takeitinstride]

Have you figured out your reasons behind why you want this?

[ She and Hikaru have had a few words about you, since your arrival.

...Speaking of the Blade King, where in the Fifth World is he? As she's talking to you, Lia is now reaching out through the wolf's crest that hangs around her neck, buried beneath her clothes.

You're late. ]

[bloodsinger]

Uh.

[ Oh no It's Happening Again. ]

It's...complicated, I guess? On the one hand, I like challenges and this is perhaps the most challenging thing someone has ever proposed to me...and I do want to do good, not just as thanks for, you know, having me here, but because I've never really felt like I am doing anything significant for others.

[ She takes a little breath. ]

On the other hand...I guess I'm kinda hoping to find a more personal reason for being here and being a Keeper of the Vigil once I'm inside. Some sort of 'the trip is as important as the destination" thing, I guess.

[ And she lets out a large breath. Words. ]

[takeitinstride]

[ Well, that sounded much better. She's heard things. Falner is also kind of really her home, and Mastigos Mage like herself makes it a point to Know Everything As Much As Possible in whatever space they consider to be theirs.

In the meantime, while Sophie is talking to her:

"Sorry, Lia. I don't think I'll be coming in."

Oh?

"I have a feeling that if I show up, you won't get completely honest answers from her. Don't worry: I'm listening in."

Very well. ]

That sounds fair, although you might want to review your conspiracy of choice. If not, then exert a little more effort to get to know Zangyaku. We move very differently from the rest of the Vigil.

[ Yep. She said "we". ]

[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. ]

[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. ]

[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.

[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. ]

[bloodsinger]

Mutual dislike makes for strong bonds?

[ She shrugs a little. ]

I wanted someone that wouldn't pull her punches and I guess she wanted someone to punch without having to worry about getting called on it. So it works?

[ If by now it's not painfully clear that Sophie has a tendency to pick the hardest path every single time... ]

[takeitinstride]

[ Blink. ]

Mentorship actually requires a favorable bond between student and master, Miss Morgenstern. I don't see, in any fashion, how your relationship with Inquisitor Bostova will help you learn, much less form you into the kind of Hunter that you are hoping to be.

[bloodsinger]

That...probably sounded worse than it actually is.

[ It also looks worse than it actually is, now that she thinks about it. ]

I mean, Yulia isn't what you would call a smiler. Or hugger. Or...well, you get the point, but I actually kind of think she's pretty cool? I can tell she's an exceptional Bladian, not to mention a ridiculously driven person. In that sense she's someone to look up to. After talking to her I got the impression there might be some points we could probably relate on, too. She's not an easy person to like, but neither am I.

[ She's never telling her that, though. ]

So if she commits to it, I'm pretty sure I'll be better for it. She might even be better for it as well.

[ She means that. And then she groans a bit. ]

We're going to butt heads forever though, on different levels of violence, I guess. I don't really expect friendship bracelets from her, alright.

[ ... ]

Am I making any sense, or just digging my own grave over here?

[takeitinstride]

[ She leaned back to let you say what you had to, and occupied herself with going for a cigarette.

Do you think Yulia actually agreed to this?

"Knowing her? Nothing was explicitly stated."

Hm. ]

While I am happy to hear you speak of my sister in the Hunt with clear respect, I strongly encourage you to make sure that she has agreed to this arrangement. I strongly encourage you, as well, to consider other options.

[ Her tone is markedly cooler now. ]

[bloodsinger]

[ Talking to Yulia is becoming a more and more pressing matter, it seems. ]

I will, and I will as well.

Well I guess that could've gone a lot worse.

{ It could have gone a great deal better, as well. }

[ Sigma is right, of course. Sophie sighs, feeling once again out of her depth. ]

[takeitinstride]

[ Nodding, then taking another drag from speaking again. ]

Do you have any pressing concerns or other matters that you would like to bring ot my attention now? We've spoken a bit about your company.

[bloodsinger]

No, no pressing concerns, really. I'll see to approach Mr. Vice in due time, but beyond that I think I've got a good grasp on what to do.

[ A little more relaxed, now. Did she just survive this interview? ]

[takeitinstride]

Very well. I suppose we are done for the moment.

[ A slight dip of her head. ]

Have a good day, Miss Morgenstern, and good luck in ASC.

[bloodsinger]

I guess we are. You too, Kaiser.

[ She stands up, turns around and leaves, a soft smile tugging up her lips. For all the horrible karma she has, some good luck would certainly come in handy. ]