[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

[anteayer]

[There's a nod from him as his features take on a more serious cast. At the same time, Temo glides off from his shoulder to settle down beside his chair.

One can tell from his expression and the thoughts floating up to the surface that he had been giving that some thought for a while, now. Moreso since his initiation months ago. He throws a quick glance at his dragon and takes a small breath before he speaks up, though.]

Well, I should probably start it off with where I want to be in, Netsach. [A slight pause, there, as he centered his mind] I would like to join at least one more division in the future, and I'm ready to work my way through the ranks to earn the clearance for it.

[takeitinstride]

That sounds reasonable enough. Do you have an idea on which divisions you are interested in beyond Ziz?

[ Noting this down on your file now. ]

[anteayer]

Yes, ma'am. Cerberus and the Arcanum.

[As he says this, Temo was glancing around the office from where he sat while still listening attentively.]

Of the two, Cerberus would probably be the first division I'd go for.

[takeitinstride]

I see. Might I know why? For professional reasons, of course.

[ And so that she might advise you, if there's a need to. ]

[anteayer]

They're the divisions that play well to my strengths. Cerberus' responsibilities overlap to a point with those of Ziz. Both deal in the conspiracy's internal matters, including the well-being of its members.

[The difference, for him, was how they approached it from their respective purviews.]

As for why I considered the Arcanum... [he lets out a sigh to bleed out the tension that had been building up] Information is important. Invaluable especially when it comes to the Vigil.

[takeitinstride]

That's very true, especially in light of the fact that many still insist on archaic concepts of "privacy".

[ You may be able to hear the disdain in her voice there. ]

Let's not engage in a semantic debate, though. What sort of Cerberus operative do you think you will be? Are you going to handle internal relations, or do you wish to engage on the PR side of things?

[anteayer]

[And he's clasping his hands together on his lap as a thoughtful frown crosses his face.]

Handling internal relations seems like a good fit for me. Ziz operatives are already responsible for checking that hunters are physically and spiritually fit for their jobs. And many cases where Keepers of the Vigil end up stepping out of line happened because the people concerned were compromised in some way.

[He knew his mother had to deal with similar issues with her clients as part of her work.]

[takeitinstride]

That sounds fair. It also dovetails nicely with your current track.

[ Hmm. What else... ]

Are you amenable to being transferred to other power bases, or would you like to remain stationed at Falner as much as possible?

[anteayer]

Well...

[Another pause. This one's a little longer than the last because he was a bit hesitant.]

If it's possible, ma'am. I'd prefer to stay at Falner for the time being.

[takeitinstride]

I see.

[ And then, since she's never been one to pull punches: ]

This would not have anything to do with your family situation, would it?

[ Usually, Netsach sent graduated operatives to a power base that reflected either their supernatural class or their ethnicity. ]

[anteayer]

[There's a look of shock on his face at that, before he's trying (and failing) to school his features to a less alarmed expression.]

Que? That's- I mean it's not.... Yes.

[He's shrinking slightly now in his seat as he regarded the Kaiser with a more anxious look. Temo, meanwhile, was glancing again at him with concern.]

I'm sorry, ma'am. It's just...

[takeitinstride]

You don't need to apologize. It's a valid concern.

[ She means it. ]

Things have not improved, I take it.

[anteayer]

... No. They haven't. [Saying that as he's bowing his head dejectedly.] Even after all this time, my father and I still aren't on the best of terms.

[It'd been four years, now. Four years since the biggest argument to have rocked the Magallanes household...

"We need to talk." He had confronted his father, then. And he remembered the hard look that had been directed at him in response.

"No. We don't."

"Yes, we do. What the hell are you trying to do, Papa? Because this is starting to go too far!"

"I'm just trying to look out for you, hijo! It's for your own good!"

"For my own good... That's what you're saying all this is for?! It's for my own fucking good!!?"

He takes a deep breath to calm himself down as the rest of that shouting match played out in his head, before it ended with him hitting his father,then and his mother and siblings stepping in before the fight could get any worse.

It still felt so fresh in his mind. And not for the first time, he wished that he hadn't been born with an eidetic memory.]

[takeitinstride]

[ Now she's going to take some time out for a cigarette. ]

Very well. Falner will be your power base until and only until there is a need for you to be assigned to another area. We'll take Mexico off of our list.

[anteayer]

Thank you, ma'am.

[It was impossible not to miss the relief in his words. All the same, he felt bad about himself at how this issue still hounded him. The rift that had formed between him and his father had only grown in time. And his visit to Mexico last year had only driven that point home.

He knew this was something that needed to be resolved. But as he was now, he couldn't face this issue without letting his anger get the better of him. So, he's taking another calming breath as he focused on other things, namely his other plans as a hunter.

As he does this, he happens to cast another glance at that still-vacant chair beside the desk, then the phone, and then back at the Kaiser. Perhaps he should... No, he'd ask later. There was probably still more to be covered.]

[takeitinstride]

[ (Lia.)

And the prodigal interviewer speaks up, at last.

(Love you too, poppet. Anyway. That issue. You thinking what I'm thinking?)

Yes. ]

Might I give you some personal advice, Gray?

[anteayer]

[He'll blink a couple of times before nodding in response.]

Of course, ma'am.

[takeitinstride]

This path isn't going to be easy, especially if you never manage to resolve your conflict with your father.

[ Staring at evenly. ]

You would do well to find the time or the means to speak to him again, when you are ready. And don't intend to make "never" be the answer to whether you are ready or not.

[anteayer]

[He's returning that gaze as he's taking those words to heart. And after taking another moment to reflect on them, he gives another nod.]

I understand, Kaiser. And I will...

[Because at the end of the day, despite everything that had happened, he still cared for his father. They were family, and you never turn your back on your family.

And hopefully, he could still patch things up between them before it's too late.]

[takeitinstride]

I will hold you to that.

[ And now, back to business. She returns her gaze to your file. ]

The official announcement on this will go up on the network soon, but since we're talking already... I want all Sixth and Seventh Circle Ziz operatives to familiarize themselves with our all of the Vigil newcomers that we will be getting for the rest of the year, particularly if they classify as Special Cases. I want to make monitoring them a regular practice.

[anteayer]

[He was listening to that with rapt attention. When he hears you mention 'Special Cases', his mind's briefly flashing back to a few things: his talk with Rin not too long ago, getting acquainted with Segan a couple of days back.

He's also recalling things he'd heard on some of the other Special Cases. There was still some gossip down at the hospital concerning a Bladian that had been picked up from the States. And a little before that, Lazare had mentioned to him and their blademates something he heard from a vampire acquaintance of his about a certain Invictus Prince... or was it former Prince, now? He'd have to ask the Alchemist about it sometime.

... Before long, his thoughts were going to one particular Special Case that had gotten his attention earlier this year. The one who was impossible to not notice with how she always followed her guardian around...]

I'll make sure it's a routine thing on my end.

[takeitinstride]

Good. You may report your findings to your superiors however often you wish. They will be in charge of giving me their own assessment based on their findings.

[ Checking the file for a moment, then: ]

Make sure to log in a good amount of hours with your blade too. We're looking into a more stringent mentoring program between low-level blades and novice blades. If you'd like to be considered, you will all have to keep a solid record with us.

[anteayer]

Yes, ma'am.

[He'll definitely work towards that. And he knew the others will be just as determined.]

[takeitinstride]

[ And while there are no words from her on that, she does send a brief and approving look your way. She likes operatives like you. You work hard, and you actually give a shit. ]

I think we have covered everything for the moment, unless you have anything to report or any concern that you'd like to raise with me?

[anteayer]

No, ma'am.

[There wasn't anything else that needed to be addressed. And there were other people who you're expecting to come by. So, he'll shelve discussing his plans of joining the Pleiades and gaining licenses with some of the other conspiracies for another time.

Still, as he's slowly standing up:]

But if it's alright, may I ask one question before I leave?

[Have a third discrete glance at that vacant chair from him at that.]