001. a room of her own // open post.

[takeitinstride]

Take a prompt, take some time, drop in whenever you like.

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July 3 || a bit past 8am

[atlas_shrugged]

[ After dropping J and K off, Brig makes his way to Liandrin's office. He's hoping she's there. He'd like to inform her personally that he's going to be gone for a good month for work with Chief Eli.

He feels a bit disappointed in himself as a Netsach operative. That's a month of work he could be doing for Netsach. Hopefully the Kaiser would have some assignments he could do on the side while overseas. Any little work that would make him feel like he isn't neglecting his responsibilities to his main Conspiracy.

Brig knocks on her door, waiting for her to call him in if she's present. She'd know it's him anyway, Brig believes. Mastigos and their Mind Arcana. ]

[takeitinstride]

Come in.

[And this one's hard at work at her desk, together with her laptop, her tablet, her phone, and several ball pens, each attached to their own clipboard. This little business with TFV has Netsach busier than ever.

She won't look up, not until Brigade comes around. Yes, she already knows it's Brigade.]

[atlas_shrugged]

[ Brig steps in, careful with the door and his footfalls. He stops in front of her desk, at attention, and waits to be addressed. She has a lot on her table and he's not about to interrupt her concentration. ]

Good morning, Kaiser.

[takeitinstride]

Good morning. I assume that this is about your assignment with Wiseman Tagabigay.

[Taking her glasses off and turning away from her work in order to look at you. Yes, she's not one to waste time: you knew this already.]

[atlas_shrugged]

[ He stays at attention ]

Yes, Ma'am.

[ He's not surprised that she knows. The Chief doesn't seem the type to leave any loose ends ]

I wanted to report to you personally before I left, apologize that I will be away from my duties with Netsach for the duration of the assignment, and inquire if you have any work you want done that I may be able to do simultaneous while I accompany Wiseman Tagabigay, Ma'am.

[ Brig's not trying to fill up what's likely already a full plate. He's just willing to do what he can, if he can, assuming the Kaiser has something in mind. He doesn't want to be failing in his responsibilities as a Netsach operative. Netsach did turn his life around for the better.

He add one more sheepishly. ]

And request for your permission to go on this assignment, Ma'am, even though I accepted it without informing you first.

[takeitinstride]

[Listening without any change in her expression, at least until that last statement. That one makes her lips quirk, and her eyes narrow in amusement.]

You don't need my permission. Operation HECATON is important to all of us, and quite frankly? If Elias had not gotten you to do something first, I might have.

[Aidan has, after all, spoken rather highly of this one. Brigade's own movements with Hikaru have also intrigued her, for reasons that would be obvious to anyone who knows about their past.]

As for other engagements, I'll let you know if something comes up. For now, I want you to focus on providing as much assistance as possible to Wiseman Tagabigay.

[atlas_shrugged]

[ He notices that change in her features and feels annoyed at himself for making the decision without conferring with his superior officer. He'd just been so excited. Big movement on TFV. Finally. ]

I apologize nonetheless, Ma'am. It was disregard for the chain-of-command; it won't happen again. I will make up for it by performing my task beyond the limits of my abilities and keeping you posted on developments.

[ And the sudden realization as to what she'd just called the Op ]

Op...operation "HECATON", Ma'am? [ His voice very tentative as he asks. ]

[takeitinstride]

[She is starting to find your good soldier disposition almost endearing. At that last one, though, she's lifting an eyebrow, and matching that with a slightly softer smile.]

We felt that the name was fitting, given Valkyrie's history.

[atlas_shrugged]

[ Memories come to mind. Hawke taking him under his wing. The Titans becoming his family. The HECATON unit in general; a bright light in the dark period of the world he was born in.

He's at a loss for words momentarily. How personal saving TFV for him hits him again with full force. ]

If a lot more of us from the beginning were alive, Ma'am, I'm sure they'd be very touched at the choice. [ He thinks of Hawke. The good man who kept true to Gordon West's vision. ] I know I am. And I believe Hawke would be too.

Waking the Dead 2.0 : 31 Aug 2063 | "someone had to draw a line"

[larue]

[ There's a part of him that's surprised that the Kaiser is up and about in Ateneo. He's equal parts glad to see her walking, and worried that she might be pushing herself too much because he still recalls how tired she'd looked the other day at the Great Hall. He relaxes a little though, when he spots Lorenzo nearby, and quietly makes his way to his seat.

He spends the entire class focused on absorbing everything she's teaching them; makes notes when necessary, refers to his readings when he should, and participates as per normal.

It's when the class wraps up that he makes his way over to her, bag slung on one shoulder and tablet tucked away. ]

Welcome back, Ma'am Lia. [ He hadn't expected to see you here, but he's not hiding the fact that he's glad you taught today. ]

[takeitinstride]

[She can feel Lorenzo's eyes on her back as Josh approaches her, but gives no indication of it whatsoever. Her Dragon is merely worried, and maybe he has a good reason to be.

Just maybe. The faster she can go back to doing familiar things, the better for her sanity.]

Thank you. [Sending Josh an appraising look, then going back to fixing her things.] I am going to Gabriel's birthday party later. You will be there, right?

[larue]

Yes, ma'am. [ His hand absently adjusts the straps of his shoulder at that. ] Wouldn't miss it for anything.

[ It's Gabriel. It's only right. ]

Do... do you need help with those?

[ Concern from this one. He also slides a deferential nod towards Lorenzo before he's looking back to the Kaiser again. ]

[takeitinstride]

[She didn't, actually, but she knows your type. Hence, she smiles and steps back.]

No, but I would appreciate a little help anyway.

[Lorenzo, in the meantime, is nodding back, yawning, and promptly disappearing into a shadow. It seems as though he's content to leave Josh to take care of her for now.]

[larue]

[ He's taking Lorenzo's departure as a good sign and turns to help Lia with her things. ]

How are you feeling?

[ Yes, that's coming out soft and a little shy. He's genuinely concerned. He respects you a great deal. Hearing about you collapsing in the aftermath of Amadeus' attack on Falner got his protective hackles up. You're the Kaiser, after all. ]

[takeitinstride]

Better than expected. I hope, of course, to recover much faster than I already am, though.

[And it frustrates her that she isn't, that she has to be so human and therefore fragile at a time like this.

You probably won't notice, though. She's rather good at keeping her cards close to her chest.]

[larue]

[ It's reassuring to hear that then. You're a formidable woman and if his memory serves him right, one of the strongest mages in the Fifth World right alongside Tohru Fukuzawa. Hearing that the strain of ensuring the safety of all the civilians in Falner had not sat well with him. He's glad that the people he cares about are safe, but knowing that the health of someone he respects a great deal has been compromised by some shithead who was once a Malice King is one more item on the growing checklist of why Amadeus has got to be put down.

But anyway. ]

That's good to hear, ma'am. [ There's a momentary pause as it occurs to him to offer something -- but he shelves that thought and cants his head slightly to the door. ] I'll walk you to your car. Unless you have to drop by somewhere first?

[ He'll be happy to accompany you if that happens to be the case. ]

[takeitinstride]

[Making a thoughtful noise at that.]

I do not have a car, actually. Lorenzo and I were going to port back.

[The other King, though, has left her to her own devices since it seems as though you're around to keep her company.]

september 4, 2063

[bostova]

[ She's been, uh, preoccupied during the day, that's why this is late: ]

SENT: 9:21 PM
Happy Birthday, Kaiser.

[takeitinstride]

[Oh, she's aware.

Of course she's aware.]

9:25 PM
Thank you, Sister.

You must be disappointed.

[bostova]

[ ...All mages are voyeurs >:T ]

SENT: 9:28 PM
Disappointed in what?

[takeitinstride]

SENT: 9:30 PM
No celebrations mean no Battle Royales.

[Not that she was planning, but that would have kind of been out of her hands anyway? Hikaru usually has one either way.]

[bostova]

SENT: 9:32 PM
Nyx was a good trade-off. :)

[ ...wondering if she should have sent that without the smiley... ]

[takeitinstride]

SENT: 9:34 PM
Ah, there is that. She does tend to be much more interesting than most of the fare that you will get in a Battle Royale. :)

[She can smiley too. S'all good.]

[bostova]

SENT: 9:37 PM
It was a very enlightening experience.

[ Smileys + Liandrin = Actually a little scary. ]

[takeitinstride]

[As it should be. :D]

SENT: 9:39 PM
Then I hope all of the people you answer to will see the fruits of your labor soon. Myself included, of course.