[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

11:10 AM

[lyall]

[ This one's coming by all on her own. There aren't that may people around when she gets there, just a handful few who are waiting around talking among themselves. She walks up to the door, glances around if anyone else is planning to head in, but no one seems to be planning to so she'll knock politely on the door.

There's a moment of worry though after she does that.

What if the Kaiser is still speaking with someone? ]

[takeitinstride]

Come inside, Lyall.

[ ...Saying that, of course, after sending a telegraphic look towards Alistair Mordechai. The Seer opted to perch on the sill of the window behind her, and to her right. He's smoking through another cigarette.

She doesn't seem to mind; she'll go back to studying your dossier, and recent accounts on how you are doing from others (Hikaru's included). Alistair, in the meantime, will nod once your direction once you're there. You and him, you have an Understanding built in many a silent conversation on the walls of the Estate. ]

[lyall]

[ She steps in awkwardly, startled as she is to find The Seer present for this. She's hoping that it's not writing itself out on her face, how she's wondering if this is normal. She was under the impression that the meeting would only be between the Kaiser and herself... but The Seer is also one of the Kings. And he is a good man who was her King's lover once upon a time.

She'll stand in front of your desk now, ma'am, dressed up nice in her school uniform and the beautiful blue coat with Netsach's insignia. It felt like the proper thing to wear. ]

[takeitinstride]

[ Noticing that, and smiling with a look of approval. ]

You look like a student of our own already. Why don't you have a seat?

[lyall]

[ There's a moment where she's actually absorbing what the Kaiser has just told her.

And then she ducks her head in an awkward nod and sits herself down in the nearby chair. She is not sure what it is that the Kaiser needs to speak to her about, but since she is attending Balamb ( her King thought it would be good, and she does not wish to question his wisdom if this is something that will pleas him ) she thinks it is possibly about that.

Her gaze strays briefly to the Seer, and she offers him a small, shy smile. ]

[takeitinstride]

[ He'll smile a little in return from just around his cigarette. In the meantime... ]

School starts tomorrow. I trust that you are prepared?

[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. ]

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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]

I believe it will be an honor teaching you.

[ Alistair, in the meantime, is smiling that tiny smile that you occasionally see when you're with him on the wall. ]

Are you aware, though, that Hikaru will be one of your teachers in class too?

[lyall]

[ The surprise comes slow, as if she isn't quite sure that she got that right.

She did not think to... oh. ]

He will?

[ There is a very uncomfortable feeling in her chest. She is glad, she is sure of this. But she is also... anxious. ]

[takeitinstride]

Yes.

[ ...And studying your reaction carefully. It figures that Hikaru never brought it up with you. ]

[lyall]

[ Ah.

Alright little one, no need to fret in front of the Kaiser.

She tries for a smile. It's shaky at best, but relief is settling in so when she looks down at her hands it begins to settle easily on her lips. ]

I will do my very best then. [ Why does her heart hurt with relief? Balamb is only in the North District. It was not as if school would take her too far from him. And there would always be Sundays. ]

[mordechai]

[ After glancing at Lia: ]

Do you want me to tell you the names of the kids that I know in your Program?

[lyall]

[ She's blinking up at the Seer's voice.

Yes, that is a nod. ]

Yes, please.

[mordechai]

Hotaru Fukuzawa and Kathleen Leitman. You have met Hotaru already, I believe, and you may have seen Kathleen - Kitty - before.

[ Kitty is kind of your neighbor. ]

Memory Recall Roll re: the girls; Int (1) + Comp (4) = 4,3,4,10(6),8 [2 successes]

[lyall]

[ She has met Hotaru. The beautiful girl with features like her King; the Assassin's youngest and a mage whose dragon is larger than some of others she she has seen. She was sweet and called her King by a word she is does not dare yet pronounce on her own.

Remembers as well, the girl named Kitty who called her King's Beloved 'Uncle Josh'. She has heard Josh speak fondly of her, while looking out the window to the house next door, on the phone with a man who she understood was away and could not yet come home, but who her King called brother.

Where Hotaru is like moonlight, Kitty is sunshine on days when one needs it the most. ]

I have seen Kitty. Her laughter through the window makes Josh smile even when he is working.

[mordechai]

Figures. She's the kid of a woman who's practically family to the Brennans.

[ Going back to looking out the window now. ]

They'll take care of you.

[lyall]

[ The kid of a woman who is family.

She thinks that she has seen this woman. She has heard her voice and glimpsed her through the curtains once or twice.

Gaze falling back to her hands now. She does not have the words to express what it is she feels at the moment. It will be nice to see Hotaru again. To know the girl, Kitty. Perhaps... they can be... friends? ]

[takeitinstride]

[ Lia finishes her cigarette at that point. ]

I think that we've talked about everything that we need to discuss. Unless there are other things...?

[ Yes, she is looking at you, Lyall, like you get to decide. This is a thing in Falner. ]

[lyall]

[ She refuses to shrink. There is no need for that here. It is time she practices little things like holding her head up. ]

No, Ma'am Kaiser. Thank you.

[takeitinstride]

You're welcome.

[ Another smile, as Alistair is pushing himself off from the windowsill. ]

Why don't you let the Seer accompany you outside?

[lyall]

[ She'll stand in attention then, pushing up from her seat with care and bowing low to the Kaiser before she turns to follow Alistair before she can even contemplate whether that was the proper thing to do.

She'll follow you like a duckling now, Seer, except she'll let you go five paces ahead. ]