Waking the Dead 2.0 || August 6, 2063 || Saturday

[takeitinstride]

[Here's an official memorandum from your beloved Kaiser, in your inbox.]

SENT: 11:04 AM
Greetings, War Hounds. There are several matters that I need to bring to your attention, as a blade.

First: congratulations on the successful completion of your two most recent engagements. Keep up the good work.

Second: in light of recent events, effective August 6 until August 31, the Malice Kings of Netsach have decreed that your blade will be placed on a forced leave of absence from major engagements within the Vigil. You will only be allowed to participate in minor engagements.

Bostova, Marisigan, Zobel de Ayala and Stevenson: I have spoken to the leaders of the conspiracies that you possess additional licenses with (i.e. Magistrate Kalika Shinta of Zangyaku, Cardinal Paolo Inojosa of the Brotherhood of Violence, Senior Operative Jessiah Vice of the Methuselah, and Lord Thomas Regardi of the Thrones). They are happy to inform you that they share the sentiments of the Malice Kings, and have subsequently placed the lot of you on shore leave. The aforementioned dates still apply.

Third: Netsach's contingent will return to the Falner Estate at 00:12:00 hours tomorrow. All blades who participated in accompanying President Catherine Stone are under orders to remain grounded at Naufragio until call time.

Fourth: I would like to personally extend my gratitude for watching over the Blade King. He is beyond a comrade to me - he is family. In as much as his participation during President Stone's diplomatic mission was unplanned, his presence prevented 99% of the casualties, and your subsequent actions prevented him from overstretching himself. I understand that having him come in the first place was a call that your team, particularly your blade leader, decided to make, and it was a wise one.

If you have questions on any of these matters, you are free to approach me. I will make myself available for you at your convenience.

OOC Notes:
+ Liandrin actually sends this text after idling around with Jessie, Hikaru, Kaz, Josh, Taning, and Yulia. She'll be going around Cape Town all the way until departure time the next day: August 7, in-game.
+ Brianna and Brigade are free to react to this accordingly, and decide on the time that they wake up. So that there's no time paradox, though, make sure to pick any hour after 12 PM, in-game.
+ Josh, Kaz, Yulia and Taning: you're pretty much free to do whatever in Naufragio and Cape Town until August 7, so that gives you guys a day and a half, plus one evening.

Comments

[ktotheatothez]

[Kaz meanders into the Arcanum of Naufragio, and asks for the section on Cards. He figures hitting two birds with one stone is a good idea, because knowing that he's come back a little differently (yeah, no shit) means that there's a lot he has to learn, and fast.

So when he does make it to Lia, he's got three files and four books with him, looking every bit like a college student.]

Hello, Kasier. Sorry if it took me a while. [He sets down the books to the side as he sits.]

I realize that a lot's happened. Um... To be honest, I'm kind of glad for the break. I have a lot of explaining and possibly placating to do back home. I take it everyone else has weighed in?

[He's totally looking at his hands because that whole being-able-to-see-which-Arcana-people-belong-to thing? Yeah, he's been creeping out other Hunters with it all day.]

[takeitinstride]

[Once Kaz's presence pings on her radar, she's setting her own work aside, clearing the table, and setting the ashtray between her seat and the one he is sure to occupy. Hence, by the time he does appear, she's already inclining her head in his direction, watching his approach.

She knows those books. At least the boy is studying.]

It's all right, and I am happy to hear that you have no complaints... I am sure that Godhand Inojosa shares my sentiments on this matter. As for your question...

[A small almost-smirk. More like a derisive twist to her lips.]

If you are referring to your blade mates. Yes, they have.

[ktotheatothez]

If I may speak freely, ma'am, my uncle is one of the most chill motherfuckers in the world, and that rubbed off on me. You wouldn't have ordered us to stand down were it not with good reason.

[He takes a look at your Arcana, Kaiser. It's brief, but you'd notice, though he quickly averts his gaze. It's still a bit unsettling to see peoples' Arcana, if anything.]

I would ask if it was because I died, but thinking about it... [While testing Vice gear, no less.] I'd hazard a guess that it's more than that, plus there is a learning curve to being a Card. My blademates... Perhaps we all need the break.

[He can tell that something happened, though, judging by the expression on her face as she says so.]

[takeitinstride]

I certainly seem to think so, together with the leaders of the other conspiracies that the lot of you belong to.

[And, yanno, many of them just happen to be centuries old, and/or veterans of the Darkest Vigil, and/or survivors of Operation Nyx.

No big deal, right?]

[ktotheatothez]

[He remembers the part where you are all his superiors, probably why he looks at the books he's got instead of right at you. He's so not going to question that, but then, he's never really had it in him to question people who've got years of experience on him.]

Well, like I said... I'm glad for the break. Incidentally, does Brother Death's Hour count as a major engagement?

[He has to ask about that, mostly because he wants in on it.]

[takeitinstride]

No, it does not. I think your real concern, however, would be if Zangyaku even allows you to participate.

[They only accept the best among their operatives for a reason. And no, she isn't even going to ask why you're asking. The connections between the Blade King has with the War Hounds are undeniable at this point.]

[ktotheatothez]

Oh right. Um. Forgot about that condition.

[He really did, Lia. And then he gets curious.]

Will you be participating, Ma'am?

[takeitinstride]

I am considering it. It is Zangyaku business, and while I am a part of their conspiracy, I have a much heavier and more visible duty to my own in Netsach.

[Hum.]

I was there, though, at Hokkaido.

[ktotheatothez]

[That stalls him, but of course she would have been there. One: Malice King, Two: One of Hikaru's closest friends and Three: She really is one of the most powerful beings in existence... From his point of view at least. So he asks the question that's just formed in his mind.]

What was it like? To face Hikaru-nii and know that you were among those stood between him and maybe so much... Well... Death?

[takeitinstride]

It was not nearly as terrifying as it was tragic, but there were ample amounts of both feelings.

[Taking a drag from her cigarette, looking pensive.]

We nearly lost him due to the sins we committed as a conspiracy, but did not have the courage to address as well as we should have.

[ktotheatothez]

[That leaves Kaz quiet. Because while he knew that they'd been there... It was still something to actually hear it.]

I remember reading the reports. Jessie... Jessie had me point my gun at him, and explained to me that I'd have to be ready to take him down if I had to.

[takeitinstride]

[The slight wrinkle of her nose hints at her mild disapproval. Still:]

Inasmuch as Jessie is predisposed to ridiculous dramatics, he is right to an extent. How did you react?

[ktotheatothez]

I... I may have hesitated briefly, but I did what was asked of me.

[He closes his eyes for a bit. Thinking about what he wants to say next.]

I understand that because I'll live a lot longer, I'll have to deal with that reality much longer than some of the people I know. I don't relish the idea, but I understand why.

[takeitinstride]

You may also choose to look at it this way: you now have more time to watch him as he works against the odds, the way he always does, and emerges from all of this stronger than ever.

[She has always believed in that one. Always.]

[ktotheatothez]

[Have a grateful look tossed your way, Liandrin. This one did think about that, but shoved it in the back of his head, fearing that it was a little too optimistic considering that he now had more time than Josh at the very least.]

If only the universe would catch up and see all that hard work...

[takeitinstride]

It will eventually. If it doesn't, perhaps there are ways to clue it in.

[The glint in her eyes and the crooked smile are standard Liandrin Delacroix tells for mischief.]

[ktotheatothez]

[He really does love the way you think, Kaiser. As he nods and grins, a mischievous smile of his own following a chuckle.]

In the meantime, I believe I have much to learn at the heels of Jessiah Vice. And... Um, Ma'am Lia? Does enrollment in college work the same way for Hunters as it would for any normal student?

[He's figured, while he's got you here, he might as well ask.]

[takeitinstride]

Yes, it does. Interested parties are, however, obligated to inform their universities of their profession so that they can adjust their schedules accordingly. Why?

[ktotheatothez]

I was just thinking about going to university, maybe trying to get a degree in something, or audit classes 'til I can decide on a major.

[If he's hesitant, Lia, it's because the idea hasn't come up in a long time.]

[takeitinstride]

If that is what you wish to do, then do it. It's important for our operatives to have lives outside of the Vigil, and pursue other interests.

[It helps keep people grounded, in Lia's opinion. It's also how many of their operatives in the Philippines used to operate, back when they were still with the Methuselah.]

[ktotheatothez]

Duly noted, ma'am. Thank you.

[He's definitely thinking about it, Lia.]

Well, um... I appear to have taken much of your time. If you'll excuse me, I've got my new existence to read up on.

[There's a glimmer of excitement in his eyes as he takes his leave, and maybe a spring in his step. The boy's got the possibilities running through his head, after all, and the fact that he doesn't intend to let his Second Breath go to waste.]