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

[takeitinstride]

All of us remember his death, and he remembers his own death as well. That is not how it is supposed to go with Cards.

[She'll have to tell Aidan about it upon his return.]

[therealbrianna]

Oh, right. I'm just concerned that maybe it'll come back to shock him. I mean if I died and came back, of course I'd be happy at first but sometimes the mind does this thing where it remembers the exact moment, that feeling of dread.

[ She sighs. ]

I trust that he'll be fine but... it's inevitable, isn't it?

[takeitinstride]

It is. Have you tried asking him how he is? It's entirely possible that he's already had a breakdown.

[As things stood, if Lia had been in his position, she probably would have.]

Had to check the timeline for this! c:

[therealbrianna]

[ She nods sadly. ]

He sort of...already did. It's not something that's gone once it's done though, and that's what I really fear.

ou!

[takeitinstride]

That's very true.

[Taking a drag from her cigarette.]

You're worried about what you can do for him, then?

[therealbrianna]

[ She nods. ]

Yes. That and... well, I want to be emotionally available for when it does happen again.

[takeitinstride]

Emotionally available, mm?

[Tilting head at.]

So you feel as though you were not?

[therealbrianna]

To be honest? It freaked me out a lot. And even that is an understatement.

[ Brianna sighs deeply. ]

At first I felt really really bad, and angry, and sad. Then Kaz came back then I was... happy? At least we got him back but speaking just for myself, it's not like there was a lot of time for me to get over it.

[ There's a small furrow in her brow. ] It's kinda confusing.

[takeitinstride]

[Making a thoughtful noise.]

I actually think that you don't have to "get over it" quickly, nor, if ever, reign in your emotions or hold yourself back from saying what you want tor say.

[And now lifting an eyebrow at her student.]

Do you want to say anything to any of them? Kaz, especially?

IC-ly, Brig has checked up on Bri re:Kaz but thread is not yet done!

[therealbrianna]

I don't really know.

[ She pauses for a while, wringing her hands. ]

No one I know has ever died on me before. If anything though, I want them to know that's it's okay to talk about it.

oh, okay!

[takeitinstride]

[Saying this as gently as she could manage.]

You should tell them as much. There are things that people need to hear in order to know what they need to do... even the ones closest to you can trip up sometimes.

[therealbrianna]

That's... true. It's not really a topic we're just willing to open up anytime.

[ She's taking Lia's advice seriously though. She's already thinking of what can be done to get the ball rolling. ]

[takeitinstride]

Such a thing takes practice, especially with people like the ones you have in the Hounds. You've all been through a lot.

[Some of you more than others, if you could even quantify such a thing.]

But it needs to be done. You trust each other in the silence, just as much as you must learn to trust each other to know when to break it.

[therealbrianna]

[ She nods, taking the words in. ]

I'm going to have to talk to our leader, then.

[takeitinstride]

Mm. He does seem to have a good head on top of those shoulders of his.

[Saying that with a crooked smile.]

On a more personal note, though... don't ever be afraid to speak your mind about anything, with them or with anyone else. Anyone who judges you for it just won't be worth your time anyway.

[therealbrianna]

I know.

[ Smiling thankfully at Lia. ]

Thank you, it means a lot. Guess I've been watching my words too often.

[takeitinstride]

It's nothing.

[And studying you again.]

Is there anything else on your mind?

[She's got the time.]

[therealbrianna]

[ She shakes her head. ]

Kaz dying kind of knocked out everything else for now. It made me realize that people can just go anytime.

[ And it's true, which is why she is thankful for this break. She needs to set her priorities straight - spend time with loved ones, train harder and fix her personal issues. She's already talked to Lia about her issue with Arcadia. Now, it's only a matter of facing it.

...and Lia's asked her so many times how she's been, so maybe now is a good time to ask her how she is. ]

How about you, ma'am?

[takeitinstride]

[And she's both touched and amused that you're asking. She doesn't often get that question from people outside of her very small and very tight intimate circle.]

Rather well, all things considered. There are more administrative headaches to deal with than usual, of course, but I doubt that it is something that I cannot handle.

[She beat Nyx. She stopped the Darkest Vigil. This is probably nothing.

...And of course it is just like Lia to talk solely about work.]

[therealbrianna]

I've no doubt that you can, ma'am.

[ A big, encouraging smile. ]

So... No... other... issues...? [ She isn't going to press, but if Lia's willing to open up to Brianna again, then she's got the time and the ears for it. ]

[takeitinstride]

[Hmm.]

The way you're asking me makes me wonder if I should have some.

[Is that a deflection?

A bit. You know how your teacher works.]

[therealbrianna]

[ No... Hmph. :( Nevertheless: ]

Not really. Just asking since yknow, I'm here anyways!

[takeitinstride]

[That makes her smile.]

Then I suppose I could be better. This sort of thing is best discussed over drinks again, though.

[therealbrianna]

That's okay. I guess we should set date, then!

[takeitinstride]

Let's see how things play out first. August is rather busy by default for Netsach.

[And the Methuselah, and Zangyaku...]