Waking the Dead 2.0 || August 25, 2063 || Thursday

[takeitinstride]

[The unenlightened might wonder why the celebration for defeating Death during Brother Death's Hour is taking place at the Falner Estate, not at Seigi. The answer to that is simple: that event from some fifty years ago was as much an event for Netsach as it was for Zangyaku. That, and Falner's got a lot more space.

Everyone's out on the lawn, and the setup is beautifully haphazard and casual. Folks are going around offering free drinks and food, and the shops from the West District are all still open. There are stalls too, offering all sorts of things to chew on or guzzle down. From the looks of it, they're all going to be at this for a while.]



OOC Notes:
+ Noey, feel free to drop Lorenzo, Cisco, Renae, Maggie, Riley, and Calintz in here as you please.
+ Will count each thread you tag into or make as for EXP this time around.
+ All NPCs that have journals and did participate in Death's Hour will have open posts here, with the exception of Elias (Peter played him that night, and he left pretty early to be with Tala, so!). Feel free to do your own shenanigans too.

Comments

[icarusalsoflew]

Yeah. It suits you better than one ever suited me, to be honest.

[He's had to go on a cane one too many times in recent history for himself, in his opinion.]

Must be the clothes. Mine aren't quite suited for Victorian Hipsters.

[Yes, that is him teasing you. As always.]

[conscient]

[ And he's going to grin at you for that and tip an imaginary hat in your direction. ]

I believe the phrase your looking for is "class", old friend.

[ This is very, very nice. And he's going to bump his shoulder gently against yours. It's been an interesting year, but all the trials and heartache is something he'd go through again as long as it leads to the both of you here, like this and finally alright again. ]

[icarusalsoflew]

Different words, same implication.

[He'll gladly take that, because he does owe his decision to ease up and try to understand where the rest are coming from to you. He probably owes you in one other sense too, because the others stopped clinging hard soon after your talk.]

Should I take your participation in the Hour as Lia's way of saying that you're free to come out and play whenever you want to now?

[conscient]

[ Taking another puff and scoffing quietly, even as he's sliding a look in the general direction of one Liandrin Delacroix. ]

I should hope to Elaine so. [ He knows she can hear him. It's why he's not bothering to pretend otherwise. ] I did just take you down.

[ There's a fond note in that. Given the way the battle had started, it was an unexpected surprise, winning. ]

[icarusalsoflew]

[Chuckling.]

Well, that's as good of a reason as any, right?

[He is, hands down, the strongest force in the Fifth World's Vigil beyond the people who came in from the Fourth World.]

She won't be able to argue with that logic.

[conscient]

I would like to see her try.

[ Tired of being cooped up, this one.

And where, by Elaine and all the powers that be, is his bloody drink--

--oh, there we go. He nods his thank you to the one that hands you a glass each. ]

Indulge me with a toast, old friend?

[icarusalsoflew]

[Nodding his thanks at the operative, then turning to Riley with a crooked smile.]

I live to please, don't I?

[He's lifting his glass in your direction now.]

[conscient]

[ Of course you do. ]

To me carting your sorry arse back to the estate to recuperate so that you could grace us all with your glorious presence.

[ A sip. ] And to no more bloody house arrest, thank Elaine. [ Yep. He's downing the rest of that now. ]

[icarusalsoflew]

[Chuckling, as they toast and he downs his own drink.]

Did you have to put it THAT way?

[He didn't have a choice, okay. That's kind of how the Hour works!]

[conscient]

[ Oh, he knows. He's just teasing.

Smiling at you now, just smiling. He's missed this. ]

[icarusalsoflew]

[Noting that look, and the fact that you're quiet. He'll smile back for a moment before letting his gaze wander off towards the festivities. His words are spoken quietly.]

Don't get all sentimental on me now, Riley. People like us need to enjoy every second we've got properly, don't we?

[conscient]

Oh, I am.

[ Following your gaze now. ]

Which is why I'm wondering why you're over here with me and not glued to your boy.

[ Just... casually putting that out there. ]

[icarusalsoflew]

[Ah. Well.

He's going to be transparent about his reasons and how he feels about that with you now.]

I think something happened during the fight, so I'm giving him a little space.

[conscient]

[ He'd seen that. Strategically, it was a sound move. One hundred and one blades taken down to leave just one man left standing on the field.

Interesting though, that it had to be that one. ]

Ah.

[ You'll know that particular 'ah,' and how you can actually press him for the details -- if you so choose. This one would have missed nothing, after all. ]

[icarusalsoflew]

[Noting that, and sending a smile your way.]

I'll ask you for your take once I've seen the playback for myself.

[Because he trusts you, and you did offer.]

[conscient]

[ And here's a smile your way, Hikaru, right before he goes back to that cigar. ]

The door to my office is always unlocked.

[ It's been a Thing so far, with the two of you, and he is perfectly fine with it carrying on. ]

[icarusalsoflew]

Your room might be better, on occasion. Less people, which makes it easier for us to discuss certain matters of importance.

[Which is his way of opening up another Thing that the two of you used to have: fussing over your own together and doing loving interventions whenever necessary.

And yes, he just pulled an impeccable British accent back there. You were the one who taught him English, old friend.]

[conscient]

[ You're getting a laugh in response to that. ] Good to know you still have the accent -- but what am I talking about, this is you.

[ He's going to randomly cast a rather discreet look around before going. ] Up to your old habits then? Alright. I'm in.

[ He does cast a somber look down Rethe's way though. That's one-half of your usual shenanigans right there. The other one... well. He'll be back when the time is right. ]

[icarusalsoflew]

[Aaaand following your gaze at that.

Sigh.]

He's keeping to himself again.

[Older Brother does not approve! 8T]

[conscient]

[ Apparently not for very long, though, as one Joshua LaRue casually slides into the empty seat beside Rethe just as you both are looking on. ]

Well, [ Riley's lifting his cigar now in order to hide the smile creeping onto his lips. ] I suppose we don't have to go over there to keep our boy Rethe company.

[ Not right away, of course. ]

[icarusalsoflew]

[Well, the sight of Josh doing that is enough to make this one dial back a little. If Josh has Rethe, then everything should be fine.

Yes, he believes in his boyfriend that much, and then some.]

No, we don't. He'll be fine now.

[conscient]

[ Yes, that is Riley looking at you over his cigar.

Yes, that is a smile. Interpret it as you will. ]

[icarusalsoflew]

[He most definitely NOT interpret that smile as he will, good sir.]

What?

[Blinking at, with a curious look. Not innocent, not defensive, not on guard. Just curious.]

[conscient]

He's nearly a decade your senior, Hikaru.

[ Yes, he went there. He's allowed to tease you a little. You're his little brother. ]

[icarusalsoflew]

Alistair and I were worse. Besides: you know I've got a thing for older men.

[Quick on the pick-up and the wit as ever.]