waking the dead 2.0 || october 11-14, 2063 || the black forest

[icarusalsoflew]

WHO: The War Hounds, all NPC operatives on call for destroying the Nemesis, and whoever else
WHAT: It's a tense vigil, a bad fall, an emotional departure, and then some.
WHERE: The unnamed Zangyaku outpost of Tengu within the Black Forest.
WHEN: October 11-14, 2063
SAFE FOR WORK? Probably?
OTHER NOTES:
+ I'll have some open posts labeled with specific dates for people, and you guys are also welcome to make your own together with any planned threads.
+ You guys are actually free to re-thread any scenes between each other here too, if you like. I won't be able to re-thread the Brigade stuff, though.
+ You guys are welcome to call or text people who are not actually in the Black Forest.


[ OCTOBER 11: PRE-ENGAGEMENT

There is no way that you could possibly get used to it: the eerie, bestial shrieks; the worrisome tremors; the rotting trees. This place feels cursed, and every single other operative in the area beyond your group have the masks of men who are ready to die.

OCTOBER 12: POST-ENGAGEMENT

For what should have been a victory because there wasn't a single casualty, the air in the outpost is heavier than ever.

Can you blame any of them, though? Their leader nearly lost it today, and the fucking idiot who was responsible for that is passed out comfortably in his room.

OCTOBER, 13: AFTER DINNER

The War Hounds, it seems, has gained one man only to lose another.

Maybe this one was for the best.

OCTOBER 14: WHOLE DAY

The Blade King has not been cleared for travel yet, so you've got free run of the outpost until midnight, October 15.

]

Comments

october 11 > OPEN

[ferricwill]

[ He's kept to the fringes of the outpost because he's meditating. You're free to join him on the small rock face that he's sitting on top of.

If for anything, he'll fill the silence with sake. ]

october 13 & 14 > OPEN

[steelsinger]

[ This one is going to be scarce for both the tail end of the 13th and the entirety of the 14th. He's taken charge of handling things at the outpost in Hikaru's stead, and he does mingle with some of the Tengu. You may catch him smiling every now and then and rolling in the usual lines, but the mirth never reaches his eyes.

Yeah, he's pissed. You can probably - no. You can definitely tell. But he might just ease up for you. ]

13th, late evening

[bostova]

[ She can definitely tell that something was up. She's still pissed off, too, but at least the object of her ire has left the general vicinity. Still, it looks like Kaien could use a drink, and she definitely needs a bottle to herself.

So she's dragged three chairs out and is using one of them as a table, setting two large bottles of sake down, along with two glasses. She makes sure that Kaien would notice; it's like an open invitation for him. And, well, she's definitely okay if he gets her absolutely plastered tonight.

But just tonight. ]

[steelsinger]

[ He immediately looked over the moment you came within his peripheral vision, but seemed ready to just nod once in your direction and leave it at that all the way until you set the sake down. After that, he's glancing back at the bottle, looking up at you, then snorting in amusement.

Walking over now, and slipping into that empty seat. ]

Is it just me, or do you actually want to talk to me?

[bostova]

[ She doesn't look over to Kaien, just brings her glass up to her lips and fixes her gaze straight at the Black Forest. ]

I don't know what you are talking about.

[ Look, it's not that she's the one who wants to talk. She's just here to listen to any grievances you might have. And it's not like she's going to say that out loud, because no one has to know she's willing to try this whole 'let's be friends' thing out. ]

[steelsinger]

[ Blinking at that, then chuckling with a rueful shake of his head. ]

Right, of course.

[ But he's grateful, really. It doesn't feel right, opening up about what's getting his goat to the ops around these parts.

Getting that bottle then. ]

Well, don't mind if I do.

[bostova]

[ This time around, she looks at him and nods. ]

Go ahead. You look like you need it more than I do, anyway.

[ And then she goes back to her drink, gazing off in the distance again. While the purpose was to get Kaien to unload, she isn't going to press him, if he doesn't want to talk. At least, she hopes that the alcohol would help his mood a little. ]

[steelsinger]

[ Her words strike him, if only because he's not used to being so transparent. Either that, or she was particularly perceptive.

His money was on the Option A. Sorry, Bostova, he believes in you, but... yeah.

Anyway. Taking a good, long swig. ]

How are your blademates holding up?

[ Let's focus on other people first. ]

[bostova]

They're dealing.

[ She shrugs and pulls out a pack of cigarettes, so she could smoke while they drink. He's welcome to get one, if he wants to. Not gonna stop him. ]

They have their different ways, I guess.

14th, after his convo with Hikaru

[larue]

[ Once he's sure that Hikaru's comfortable, he'll be wandering out of the Blade King's quarters and down the hall with the intent to look for you. He heard the sound of that fist you'd sent Brig's way ( kind of hard not to, really ) and he's keen to check up on you -- it's what comrades do, yeah? ]

[steelsinger]

[ You'll find Kaien in the open space behind the main outpost, running through some sword forms. The Tengu manning this places turned this area into their makeshift arena and training hall.

Suffice to say, a lot of people seem to be trying to work out some stress around these parts. ]

[larue]

[ Considering that none of the Tengu accomplished what their division was built for and that last night's mission, while a success, ended with their leader being down for the count -- Josh isn't surprised in the least.

He moves towards Kaien, making sure that the Alchemist can spot him as he approaches. He's also taking note of those forms -- he considers himself more a brawler than a weapons master, but he has a great appreciation for the kind of discipline it takes to wield a weapon like the one the taller man is using.

He'll set down his spare, unopened pack of cigarettes on a nearby ledge with a nod that says: that's for you, man. ]

[steelsinger]

[ Glancing once in your direction at your approach, then doing a double take when he notices you drop off those cigarettes.

You kids are so nice. Finishing up now, then moseying on over to wherever you've decided to settle down while he was occupied. ]

Morning.

[larue]

[ He's leaning against a wall and lighting up for himself. He's done his fair share of lying on his back and sitting down, so it's good for him to stretch his legs. ]

Morning.

[ A nod your way and a wordless offer to light up for you if you're up for a smoke. ]

[steelsinger]

[ Taking that offer, of course. ]

How'd Hikaru take the news?

[ Might as well ask Josh. ]

[larue]

That we're all grounded until he's fit for travel?

[ Taking a drag from that cigarette now. ]

Better than usual. He's resting back in the room.

october 14 > OPEN

[icarusalsoflew]

[ This one is going to be resting in his room the entire day.

Nobody is surprised. ]

Morning when he wakes up but before heading off to see Kaien

[larue]

[ It's so weird, waking up with the certainty that the Hounds are back down to five. But leaving will be good for Brig. It just means the rest of them have to step up.

Still, your boy, Hikaru, is unlikely to leave your side unless something calls him away, so it shouldn't be too much of a surprise to see him curled up beside you. He's waiting for you to wake up, and he's got one of your hands cradled in his own while he does it. ]

[icarusalsoflew]

[ At about 8 AM, one eye cracks open on this one's end, and - after spotting you - there's a small yawn, a tiny smile, and your boyfriend shifting in towards your body...

...to the best of his abilities, anyway. He just woke up, and he's also definitely NOT up to snuff. ]

[larue]

Morning, [ that's murmured softly into your hair as he bridges the space between you both. ]

How're you feeling?

[ The way he holds you against him is gentle and careful. You don't look much better than you did last night. ]

[icarusalsoflew]

Like I actually slept.

[ Which was a marked improvement from the other day, really. ]

Did the med techs say anything?

[ They probably came in while he was out. Then again, it was entirely possible that they were waiting for the both of you to be awake at the same time.

Your boy is hoping, of course, that they'll clear the lot of you as soon as possible. This place is hardly home, especially in light of recent events. ]

[larue]

You're going to have to stay put and take it easy for one more day. [ They'd come in for a bit just to give him that assessment, and he'd thanked them for letting him know. ]

They're hoping that you'll be good for travel by midnight.

[ It's not the best news, but it's something? ]

[icarusalsoflew]

That works, I guess.

[ Perhaps, under different circumstances, he might have had it in him to be frustrated. This campaign, however, did not really go as planned. (An understatement, that.)

Settling down even more against your body, and focusing, for a few moments, on lying still and listening to your heartbeat. ]

Did you rest well?

[larue]

Well enough.

[ Have a kiss to your forehead before he tucks your head beneath his cheek. It's been an exhausting couple of hours. He got sleep, but last night's proceedings weren't exactly how he'd pictured this whole thing to go down.

Still, what's done is done. Things will work out, given time. ]

october 13 & 14 > OPEN

[therealbrianna]

[ OCTOBER 13

She excuses herself from the dinner first with a kiss to Hikaru's cheek and a swift smile for all of you.

She won't be smiling, though, if you come down to the outdoor range that the Tengu have out back. Wow, her aim got scary good...

OCTOBER 14

If she isn't flopping close to her "Daddy", she'll be traipsing around base, ready to bug anyone she comes across. At least she is more cheerful now. ]