Waking the Dead 2.0 || July 5-11, 2063 || The Wait

[kawaakari]

[Beautiful as Seigi is and generous as your hosts have been, it is hard to forget why you're here again.

Zangyaku is carrying on as per usual, as if your presence doesn't mean anything. It isn't a dismissal, though: it's an acknowledgment of the work that you must do, and that they are, by merit of your presence, helping you do it.]


General OOC Notes:
+ This is a catch-all post for any interactions that take place during the in-game period I indicated. Make sure to label your subject lines accordingly!
+ You're all staying at close to the Wolf's Ward, which is the wing devoted to the Blade King and the Wolfborn.
+ You're free to move around until about 7 PM. You have free run of the base.
+ You can, regardless of whether you have a license with Zangyaku or not, join in on minor routine engagements like patrol, or helping out at any of the divisions.
+ There is a free teleport back to Falner. You can go any time, as long as you're back before call time for the vigil with Ginko Takasugi-Vice from 8 PM until 4 AM.

General behavior of significant NPCs in the area:
+ Kasumi is your host, and effectively the officer in command for this leg of the operation.
+ Hikaru is generally NOT around during the day. He only turns up around dinner time to eat with everyone, take a temperature check on his end, and then immerse himself in his own work.
+ NPCs that have been fielded out to watch over David Young and Minato Arisato are available on call.
+ Other NPCs may be available on request. Just ping me?

Comments

July 7, 2063: Saturday || Kasumi and Yulia

[kawaakari]

[The contingent of Keepers is about to hit their third night of waiting with Ginko Takasugi-Vice, and things are starting to get tense. There has been no news, no new developments.

Naturally, this means that Kasumi has decided to play the good hostess and see what she can do to ease peoples' spirits. One such action that she is taking is coming around with a Go board tucked under her arm, to where Yulia Bostova happens to be at the moment.]

Yulia-san. Good evening.

[bostova]

[ Yulia is smoking at the hallway just beyond the room where Ginko is. Joshua was there with her. Which is why Yulia was out here.

When Kasumi arrives, she bows in respect for the Lady of the Night. ]

Good evening. [ There's a short pause before Yulia remembers that Kasumi was effectively the Commanding Officer on this side of the operation. ] There hasn't been any pings, or any developments lately. Some people [ read: Josh LaRue ] are getting antsy.

July 9, 2063: Monday || Taning and Sabina

[numinary]

[This text comes your way mere minutes after the announcement on Jessie's failed recovery goes up.]

SENT: 11:04 PM
We missed our chance. We fucking missed it.

[bladeweaver]

[Well, shit.]

SENT: 11:05 PM
What happened?

July 6th, Friday ; Yulia + Saxon + Breton (+ Josh?)

[bostova]

[ The current State of the Yulia is, undoubtedly, annoyed at one Joshua LaRue.

Really.

She understands how important the engagement is to him, since it was to save one Jessiah Vice, Malice King, from the Other World, but it would be nice, really nice, if he could just sit still and not smother Ginko Takasugi-Vice with too much attention. Or stop checking the network every five fucking seconds for updates.

She was also fed up with the way he keeps deflecting. It was obvious he was worried, yes, but there was definitely something else in his mind other than just the Rhiannon engagement.

So instead of threatening (yet again) to do bodily harm on their Blade Leader, Yulia steps out from a quick lunch after training, Vice phone in hand, and sends a message to the Brands. ]

SENT 12:32 PM
What exactly do you do on a slow day in Japan?

[thebrandybunch]

[This one's from Saxon.]

SENT: 12:35 PM
Sleep! Fight somebody! Go bother a member of the Searing Wind and fight that person!

[And this one is from Breton.]

SENT: 12:35 PM
How's the operation going?

[Yeah, they both know what's going on. Why wouldn't they?]

10 July, Tuesday | Brennan Siblings

[larue]

[ He sends the message right as they get the news. ]

SENT: 11:11 PM
calling you. pick up?

[ And proceeds to walk off to one side with a cigarette already lit. ]

[intelligencia]

[She stares down at her phone for a bit right after getting that message. She's sitting on the street curb, watching everyone else mill about. The atmosphere is understandably heavy... even Minato Arisato doesn't look pleased.]

SENT: 11:12 PM
okay

[You know there's a Problem when your baby sister gives such short answers and DOESN'T bother capitalizing or putting punctuation marks.

July 7, 2063: Saturday (afternoon)|| Kaz and Yulia

[ktotheatothez]

[There's some hesitation before Kaz sends off a text - even if they're in close quarters, he just... Doesn't quite know how to approach Yulia yet, but in light of recent things, he harrumphs...]

SENT: 4:00 PM
Hi Yulia, would you like to take first watch with me tonight?Josh is going to run himself ragged if nobody's there to stop him.

[He's actually pretty worried about the Sin-Eater right now.]

[bostova]

SENT 04:01 PM
Is he being a stubborn idiot, still?

5-8 July, Thur-Sun | Josh & Brigade

[larue]

[ Josh is up late because his mind won't shut down yet.

And because tomorrow the real waiting starts.

Fishing out his phone now, sending off a text to the one member of his blade not in attendance at Seigi. ]

SENT: 12:07 AM
brig. just thought to check in. hope things are well
on your side of the planet.

rhiannon's mobilized. we're going to get jessie back.

i'm going to try to get a copy of the engagement details
in print so i can forward it to you if i'm allowed that,
but the sum total of what's going down is that a ritual's
been cast to tie ginko takasugi-vice, minato arisato and
david young to jessie.

i don't know the finer details of how the magic works,
but they'll just know if we get a hold of him, and then
they'll automatically port to wherever that is.

cindy's got a blade now -- her, jill, sabina (stan's woman)
and J are all assigned to minato. they're stateside. i don't
know if you'll be able to get in touch with them, but i do
know they'll be stationed at blackriver in sanfran. the
rockin' rollas are with them.

wolf's choice are going to europe with mr. young. as for us
hounds, we've got the pack and nico raio's blade with us.
we're with ginko and currently stationed at seigi.

i'll keep you posted as much as i can over the next couple
of days. talk to you soon. take care, man.

[atlas_shrugged]

SENT: 12:15 AM
Good to hear from you, Taicho. It's okay here on my end. Just busy following the Chief around.

That's great news. I wish I could be there to pitch in but sounds like the op is in good hands. Glad you guys were pulled in for it.

I'd appreciate that. I'm a bit uncomfy stuck doing diplomatic work when it looks like there's some legwork to be doing. But with Inquisitors Takasugi-Vice, Arisato and Wiseman Young on the case, I'm confident some results will come in soon.

Mage stuff. Sometimes I wish I could do it. Other times I glad I can't. But that sounds like some really rapid response going on.


Cindy's climbing up. I bet you're proud and I'm happy for your sister. Haven't gotten to meet Brod Taning's woman yet but if she's Taning's woman, I'm glad she's with Cindy and J. Looked her file up; she sounds formidable.

I'm still worried about J. She mentioned that she'd keep out of field ops. And walking into Dark Hour, even with Inquisitor Arisato, gets me worried. I won't text her first though. I don't want her to feel like I'm doting on her or worrying too much. Pretty sure it'll affect her and I don't want her head not in the game.

Seigi... Going to have to tell you something about Seigi when I get the chance. Not now though since you've got enough on your plate as it is, Taicho. Say hi to to the Great Koi for me if you get the chance? And please give my regards to Magistrate Aoi.

Thanks, man. It's only been two days and I have to admit I miss you all already.

Take care, stay safe, and make it rain.

[ Brig is really worried about J. And he wishes he could be with his blade. He goes and lights up a cigarette.

Using telecommunications to keep posted with loved ones is something he's had to do for nearly five decades. He's not very comfortable having to do it again now.

He sends a follow-up text a minute later. ]

SENT: 12:16 AM
Get some rest. My VicePhone tells me it should be around 12am there. You'll need it. But if you can't sleep, don't be a stranger and send a line. You know I don't sleep much anyway.

9 July, Monday | Josh & Brigade

[larue]

[ He's keeping vigil close to where Ginko's staying. The pack of cigarettes in his hand is down to three sticks.

The others have been keen on making sure that he doesn't run himself into the ground, but he needs to focus on this, needs to keep his head in the game because other things aren't working out so well.

Lighting up a stick, he shoots off another text. He did promise Brigade, after all, to keep the Promethean in the loop. ]

SENT: 11:53 PM
got a hit. stateside.
they didn't get him.

[ The engagement's only really started, but this weighs on him.

It doesn't help that... well. ]

10 July 2063, Tuesday || Brigade and Jessica

[leitman]

[This comes in after the news of their failed ops goes up on all networks.]

SENT: 10:45 PM
Got a minute? Need somebody to talk to.

[atlas_shrugged]

[ He's riding in the car with the Chief, reviewing the updates on the Dark Hour operations. His phone vibrates at the incoming message. ]

SENT: 10:47 PM
For you, always. What's wrong? Should I call up?

July 8, 2063: Sunday (morning) || Kaz and Cisco

[ktotheatothez]

[A very disgruntled Kaz is sitting on the roof of Kasumi's compound, having managed to get breakfast early on. Kid's too annoyed to visit the gun range, so he sends a text.]

SENT: 10:10 AM

Tita... Big brothers are the worst. They're annoying and stubborn ;_;

[kinesthesia]

SENT: 10:12 AM
yes, they are. i had four. it was hell.

[ It's really late on her end, but who needs sleep, right? ]

SENT: 10:13 AM
what's wrong, sweetheart? and which elder brother?

5 July 2063, Thursday : a little after dinner | Josh & Hikaru

[larue]

[ Josh spots Hikaru coming in sometime during the earlier part of dinner. He hadn't seen the Blade King all morning, but with the preparations for the engagement falling into place, he didn't really think anything of it.

Wandering over now, when you're finally alone though. He just wants to touch base. Jessie is your best friend, after all. ]

Hey. Mind if I join you?

[icarusalsoflew]

[He heard you coming from a mile away, of course. That didn't give him nearly enough time to prepare for you actually turning up.

Maybe he shouldn't have thought that he could handle this and let you approach in the first place.]

Sure.

[That response, though, comes a bit too late, and way after he's thumbed out a cigarette, lit up, and had his first drag. They're both out on the patio now, overlooking one of the many gardens in Seigi.]

8 July 2063, Sunday : Sometime after breakfast | Josh & Yulia

[larue]

[ The shift may have ended at 4am, but he doesn't get to sleep until about five and he wakes up four hours later because the sun is up and he hasn't been sleeping as well as he should anyway.

Yesterday's argument with Kaz is still fresh, so Josh isn't going to sit by the Hounds today, opting to grab coffee and food that he doesn't really feel like eating before he takes it outside.

He's done with his meal by the time he goes through his fourth cigarette, eyes glued to that phone of his as he reads through what little there is by way of reports.

It's day four and there's still no word on Jessie. And then, of course, there is that other thing he wants to keep his mind off of. ]

Re: 8 July 2063, Sunday : Sometime after breakfast | Josh & Yulia

[bostova]

Didn't I tell you to stop checking your phone?

[ So, there's a Yulia standing a little ways away from Josh, arms crossed and eyebrow raised. Yes, she's been watching him for the past few days. Yes, she's still pissed at him, even after ranting at the Brands and talking with Kasumi the previous night.

She said she'd give him time, but this? This was too much. Even Kaz had blown up at him yesterday.

It's definitely time for that brick to the face. ]

If there's an update, there will be an update, and your phone will tell you when.

[ Of course, she knows there's something else other than the mission that's been bothering him. She's asked on the first day, but he refuses to answer her straight. ]

July 6, 2063: Friday (Night) || Kaz and Josh

[ktotheatothez]

[Kaz wakes up from his nap just as the sun sets. A quick shower and a trip to the dining area for some coffee and he's heading to Ginko Takasugi-Vice's room. He's got three mugs of really good-smelling coffee with him: one for Ginko, one for himself, and one for whomever he's paired with tonight. Because he didn't make plans with anyone.

He's decked out in full, just in case. He still finds it odd that he's walking around with the Wings strapped to his back, completely unsealed. They're his now, he's going to get used to it.

He's unsurprised to find Ginko accompanied by Josh, though.]

Good evening, Ginko-san. [He greets her and sets the coffee mug for her at a nearby table before going over to Josh.]

Hey big brother, you look like you could use this.

[He sets the mug down in front of Josh before planting himself next to the older man, concerned baby brother is concerned.]

[larue]

[ And here's Josh nodding at Ginko to excuse himself. He was mostly keeping her company, after all.

Taking that mug now and lifting the coffee to his lips. ]

Thanks, kiddo. Sleep okay?

8 July 2063, Sunday: right around breakfast | Taning and Yulia

[bladeweaver]

[He's been watching Josh wear himself ragged these past few days. He knows that he's dealing with a lot, but this is, quite plainly, self-destructive. He approved of him as blade leader, but he wants him to be effective in the role. This isn't efficiency, though. Josh is burning himself to cinders, and cinders can't lead for shit. This needs to be addressed now.

... Except he doesn't want to be the one to do it. Josh needs to feel like an equal is the one talking to him. Rightly or wrongly, he seems to look up to him, as a kuya of sorts. So he seeks out their blade's second, and right as rain, there she is, scowling at Josh from afar.

He's gotten more comfortable talking to her recently, especially as concerning anything not specifically about her. It has also helped that she seems more personable, these days.

Well, just not today. Today she looks like she wants to flip knives at the young man just a little further in the distance. He stands beside her without preamble, handing her a cup of coffee, cooled just right to be hot but drinkable.]

Hello, Yulia. I can't say I disagree with you. The guy needs to simmer the fuck down.

[bostova]

Mmh.

[ She takes the coffee almost automatically, still glaring in Josh's direction. It's almost routine now, her watching their blade leader like a hawk. She isn't sure when it all started, but it's been getting worse and worse as the days progress. The way Josh has been acting is getting on her nerves and she's so close to snapping.

She probably would have already, if it wasn't for her self-control and a few words with Kasumi and Saxon and Breton the past few days.

She drinks the coffee like she would a shot of vodka. ]

If I could take him off this engagement, I would.

6 July 2063, Friday : during dinner | Josh & Hikaru

[larue]

[ The first night on watch is uneventful and the Hounds had found themselves sent off at the end of their shift to rest and wind down. Josh couldn't sleep right away, had opted to pad out and jog before bed, his hoodie keeping him warm as he tracked a path around the base, into the forest, and back up the way he came, rounding back to where his blademates were sleeping soundly in their rooms. He crashes some ten minutes into the sun rising behind his curtains and wakes up sometime after lunch.

He doesn't join the patrols, but he does make it a point to check out the different divisions as much as he can. He has a ways still before he hits fifth circle, but he's listened to the others ( Stan, Yulia ) talk about their training and it gives him something to focus on outside of the waiting. It helps that he's a lot more discerning over the things that he wants now, in comparison to a few short months ago.

He doesn't take dinner with the rest, tells them he'll catch up, that he wants to check sonething out before he fills up for the evening, and lets his feet take him to the Wolf's Ward and down it's corridors. He knows that Hikaru is likely out, but he takes the chance anyway in the hopes that he might catch the Blade King for just a moment. ]

[icarusalsoflew]

[What he'll see, after about five minutes of wandering through the area, is that there's a single lighted study among the many empty (and dark) rooms in the Ward. There is one Hikaru Shinta seated in front of the low desk there. Said Blade King is shirtless, and currently busy undoing the bandages wrapped around his person; those are stained here and there with blood. Said low desk has his laptop and his phone, which is currently on loud speaker. There's also a bottle of whiskey (one fourth of it is gone), an ashtray with a cigarette burning away on it (and lots of killed butts besides), and medical supplies.

He's speaking in Japanese quietly to whoever's on the other end of the line. His head his bowed, and his eyes are focused on the task at hand. There's a thin edge of pain and a whole lot of exhaustion, though, in that voice. His hair is grey.

The clock that Josh can't help but always see, even if he doesn't want to, has lost about a year.]

July 7, 2063: Saturday (Morning) || Kaz and Nico

[ktotheatothez]

[He has no idea how he was dead tired. He'd taken a nap and everything, had coffee, but somehow at 2 AM, Kaz couldn't keep his eyes open anymore. So Josh sent him off.

Now Kaz has this thing, he knows Nico's scent and strangely, he can home in on it. Whether it's a boyfriend thing or not, he's never really figured it out. He's so sleepy that he doesn't even bother to note that he has actually wandered into Nico's room, toed off his boots and stripped down to a tank and boxers before he crawls in next to the bed and wraps his arms around the source.

The Vaizard's out like a light in seconds.]

[riskythunder]

[Interestingly enough, Kaz isn't the only one on auto-pilot. The moment Kaz is doing that, Nico's simply squirming around a little to make them both comfortable and going right back to sleeping.

Hence his quiet surprise when he wakes up properly about two hours later, over the realization that he is not alone.

How did that happen? It doesn't take him too long to guess. As such, he's laughing to himself before gently slipping out of bed. He takes some time out to change into his Zangyaku colors, then doubles back to kiss Kaz's forehead before going off for his shift.

You'll see a message on your phone (which Nico put on silent mode, since he knows your pass code anyway) once you're up, lover.]

SENT: 3:45 AM
Had to go on shift, but you were a lovely thing to wake up to.

Stay where you are? I'll come around once we're done. :)

6 July 2063: Friday (Afternoon)| Taning and Nico

[bladeweaver]

[Taning is fresh off his shift and is looking to wind down. He has all sorts of stress headaches and knotted muscles, and he knows it to be because everyone on shift is on such a high state of alert with no actual end in sight. There is nowhere for the physical tension to be redirected.

So he goes off in search of people to spar with. If anything, it would help him sleep. Aha, he observes, a worthy opponent, just as he sees Nico's Zangyaku blade. Fortunately, he seems to be veering off from the main group.

He approaches the young Riskbreaker with a friendly smile on his face. No need to put him on guard; in any case, they already know each other. He raises a hand in greeting when Nico catches sight of his approach.]

Yo! Fancy a quick spar? It's been a tense day and I just wanted to work some of it off. [He lowers his voice to a stage whisper.] I'd have asked your boy, but he's probably still asleep, or Yulia, but she doesn't know the meaning of a "friendly" spar. Or Josh, but have you seen the guy? Man. Anyway, so! [He raises his voice again.] How about it?

[riskythunder]

[And the moment he saw Taning coming, he was already smiling in the Mage's direction and offering a greeting of his own. After all of that other stuff, though:]

Sure, why not? We can head over to one of the empty training halls down here.

[Funny that Taning should mention Josh. He hasn't actually seen that one around too often.]