[OPEN] I sing a bitter song

[bostova]

WHO: Yulia Bostova & You
WHAT: Catch-all for pre-campaign all the way up to June 14th (Yes, the first day of classes)
WHERE: Anywhere
WHEN: Anytime
SAFE FOR WORK? Y...for now.
OTHER NOTES: If your character has been in Falner for the past few days/months/years leading up to the first day of classes at Balamb, then feel free to to tag in :) Feel free to reply in prose or action, I don't really care which! Just indicate when the thread is happening :)

a. gisi
Zangyaku's base of operations in Falner; usually, you can find her at an izakaya at the Entertainment District. If she's not there, try the Hot Springs; she usually takes over operations there. If not there, check the Sky Steps, or Sabina's office, or with some of the other Whisperers. Good luck getting her to talk, though.

b. around falner
If she's in the Great Hall, it's usually because of a Hound or two. She doesn't stay too long there, though. She can also be found at the Shatterdome, terrorizing Netsach initiates. If she's at the lake, it's best to leave her alone.

c. shatterdome barracks
She lives on the fifth floor of Zangyaku's barracks. Or, she could be visiting the barracks for Aegis Kai Doru or the Thrones. Who for? Wouldn't you like to know.

d. choose your own adventure
There are a lot of places you can run into Yulia. Pick one and go for it!

Comments

[bostova]

[ She lights up a stick of her own. ]

Every weekend since. [ Since you know what happened. ] Give or take a few nights. [ No point in hiding that, really. ]

[larue]

[ Tilting his head a little as he watches you. He knows, he was there. It had been difficult to watch. The discrepancy in power was clear between you and the Scatterblade. He had hoped that it wouldn't hit you as hard as it did, because he's invested in the idea of seeing you take a place in the Searing Wind. ]

You could have called me. [ He would have gladly kept you company. ]

[bostova]

I could have. [ She just shrugs, and smokes her stick. ] But someone else got me started on the alcohol, and I just didn't want to stop.

[larue]

[ A tilt of the head now, accompanied with a slight narrowing of eyes.

The question is written all over his face: Who?

Give him a break, he's your best friend. He would have liked to have been around for you as a way to make up for things last year. ]

[bostova]

[ She'll just smile and take a drink from her cup. Use your Maenad contacts, Josh. You might hear something interesting. ]

And what have you been doing lately?

[larue]

[ He'll do that, mostly because he's curious. He's due to drop in at Haven at some point anyway, maybe he can pick something up from the grapevine there. ]

Not much. Just the usual: office, home.

[ Things between him and Hikaru have improved significantly in the last few weeks. In some way, caring for the little girl they have at home gives them something to work on together. ]

[bostova]

[ She exhales a lungful of smoke at you, then. ]

So take yourself off the bench and lead the Hounds again.

[larue]

[ He turns his gaze back up to yours and you'll probably see the hesitation in them.

Not yet, he's thinking. Within the year, maybe.

The foundation he's walking on isn't as steady just yet. It's getting there, but it's not quite set.

And then the look in his eyes is shuttering again. You know him well enough that he let his guard down because this is you: his best friend, his second among the Hounds. You two grew up together in those first two years together as blademates, you saw aspects of him that the others didn't get to -- or only came upon much, much later. ]

Eventually.

[ That's all he can give you for now. ]

[bostova]

[ She just tilts her head toward him and smiles. ]

Don't take too long. I might enjoy it too much and not want to give it back to you.

[larue]

I don't think that'd be too terrible. [ Have a smile right back.

He's about 75% sure you won't do that. He'd like to think he knows you well enough.

But he can ride with this. Besides, he knows the Hounds are in good hands with you. It's why he left you in charge to begin with. ]

I know how to take orders.

[bostova]

I might just. And then I'll keep you in the dark most of the time.

Clueless seems to fit your face pretty well. [ She smiles. She's more relaxed now, and you can definitely tell she's teasing. ]

[larue]

Well that'll fit right in with how the rest of us operate.

[ Chuckling as he takes another drag from his stick. You'll know what he means: you and Stan weren't exactly the typical sort of Whisperer and Mortician. ]

[bostova]

Can you just imagine all the trouble we will find ourselves in? I miss that.

[ ......Yes, even the Mexico incident. ]

[larue]

I can.

[ There's a quiet in his eyes that matches the tone of his voice, and his lips part briefly because there's a part of him that wants to tell you I miss it, too.

It's been ages since the Hounds went on an engagement together, and it's been a significant amount of time since he was out of the field outside of the exception of Dark Hour. Granted, the world seems to be a quieter place these days, but still. He isn't ready. Not yet.

Within the year though. He just needs a little bit more time. ]

[bostova]

So just imagine that, [ She takes a last drag from her cigarette before putting it out. ] then come back to me when you miss it too much.

I'll hand the reins back to you then. [ Smile. Don't worry. She understands. Things... need time. ]

[larue]

[ And isn't that the thing about how the both of you work, with things not needing to be spelled out to the letter, because after everything, you just know each other that well. ]

Let's both finish up and head off? You, me, kicking around like we used to in the Dark Hour?

[bostova]

You mean, me, kicking every butt in the Dark Hour, while you stand around uselessly?

[ A wink, and a smile. It almost feels normal again. ]

Of course.

[ And an even bigger smile. ]

Pick up the tab?

[larue]

Yeah, that's me. Old Reliable.

[ Yes, it almost feels normal again.

He doesn't answer the last bit. He's already tugging out his wallet, thumbing out a number of bills that should cover everything, and then he's standing and gesturing with a slight tilt of the head for you both to head out.

He'll leave his car here. His clave hangs alongside his keys. He can open the door into Dark Hour once you both step out. ]