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

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

[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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[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!]

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

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

[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?

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. ]

[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.

[ 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. ]

[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.]

[ 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. ]

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.]

[ 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. ]

[Aaaand following your gaze at that.

Sigh.]

He's keeping to himself again.

[Older Brother does not approve! 8T]

[ 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. ]

[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.

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

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

[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.]

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. ]

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.]

[ Chuckling at that and shaking his head a little, because it is rather true. He does remark quietly, though, as he watches the two talking in the distance. ]

I never got to tell you how glad I am that things seemed to have worked out. [ Wasn't it just a little over a month ago that you had come to him with your little revelation? ]

You and I both.

[Falling quiet for a moment, because he wants to partake of his cigar once again.]

It wasn't easy. [Not in the slightest.] It was worth it, though.

[ Here's a gentle but nonetheless firm hand on your shoulder. ]

The things that you choose to fight for usually are, old friend.

[ Even if they don't pan out quite the way you hope. ]

Well, [ saying that now as he indulges himself with that cigar. ] You're both young and able. Just don't distract the boy too much. [ Heh heh heh. ] The way his current track record is going, he's showing much promise as a hunter.

[Blinking at that, looking Horrified.]

Oh, but I love ruining people's lives, Daywalker-san! However will I live knowing that I cannot completely destroy my significant other?

[He's teasing, really.

Really.]

[ He's going to have to make it a point to check in with the boy at some point. After all, Joshua and what he has done for you has been a rather... interesting surprise. ]

Then it is a good thing the boy's shown impressive resilience where you are concerned. [ Lifting that cigar back to his lips now, to hide the smile that's tugging at his lips. ] If anything, I suppose this will be beneficial to his staying power on the field.

[ Yes, he went there. ]

[And he loves how you went there.

This is why you are friends. This is also why Aidan Clayce always gets a little bit worried when the two of you huddle.]

Believe me when I say that he's shown great improvement in that direction ever since we hit things off.

[ He would say that Aidan could use some tips, but he's a good friend, and he won't voice that.

So yes, he's chuckling at that response. He's also watching how that boy seems to know how to maneuver his way past the Kings' "youngest" member.

( Because in some ways, Rethe does move as if he is the youngest among them all. ) ]

[Following your gaze, because it's not like there's nothing worth seeing over there. He likes watching his boyfriend just as much as Josh likes watching him.]

He's going to go far.

[Is his voice a little soft there? Yes.]

(no subject)

conscient - 2014-06-05 04:12 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

icarusalsoflew - 2014-06-05 07:48 (UTC) - Expand

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only