The First Winter Festival at Falner, 2063 | September 5 to September 12

[clayce]

WHO: Open to All!
WHAT: Netsach has decided to lighten the mood within Falner Estate by holding two Winter Festivals this year. This one will be the first: might as well take advantage of the climate, eh?
WHERE: South District, the Falner Estate
WHEN: From the morning of September 5 all the way until the unholy hours of September 12
SAFE FOR WORK? Probably? Will be updated if that changes.
OTHER NOTES:
+ Always make sure to put the date and time of your interaction in the subject field of your comments.
+ Open threads are welcome; just put a note down in the subject field of your comment, together with the date and rough timeframe.
+ NPCs are available for bugging, so just let me know if you want somebody in particular?




[Yes, it isn't supposed to be winter yet.

This is how Netsach will show that they no longer give a shit.]

Comments

[habub]

[Ah.]

Would this be the reason why you chose to be a part of the Rashinban in Zangyaku, or am I missing something here?

[larue]

[ Oh. Right. ]

I joined the Rashinban because I'm a firm believer in making sure that resources are well-allocated.

My second is our Whisperer. My third is a Mortician. And we have a Bodhisattva and a Senshi in Kaz Zobel de Ayala and Brigade.

[ He contemplates having a drink, fingers light around the bottle.

Maybe later. ]

I heard that it was typical of my particular supernatural class to join the Morticians, but I'm all about information. And I confess I didn't think that redundant roles would do the Hounds much good.

[ It also won't fly that he's right out there doing the Social Thing, that he take on tasks like those handed to the Morticians. In another life, maybe, but Stan is better equipped to the role. ]

[habub]

They tend not to, and neither does "typical" actions of one's nature on an excessive scale.

[ Interesting, interesting. ]

And your reasons for joining Zangyaku in the first place. What are they?

[larue]

[ His initial reasons for joining Zangyaku had been the offer that had been made by Alistair Mordechai his way in light of the information that had come to light about his mother's associations with TFV.

Get to Fifth Circle, license with Zangyaku, and they would have the resources to assist in Angela Brennan's rescue. ]

Selfish ones. [ He says that evenly. ] An option was presented made my way, but on the stipulation that I make it to Fifth Circle.

My mother was coerced-- [ no, it was worse ] --forced, years ago, to leave her family and return to the conspiracy that made her into a weapon to ensure our safety.

I wanted in on the op that would get her back. [ He's looking at his hands now. ] It didn't end up having to be that way, sure. But it was my driving motivation at the time.

[ Nobody. Nobody fucks with my family. I'm gonna put a bullet through Howard's head for that. ]

[habub]

You call such an inclination selfish, yet Zangyaku is also about family inasmuch as it is following the Wolf.

[ He'll leave it at that. ]

You say "at the time". When did that change?

[larue]

[ He's thoughtful. ]

I didn't know how big Zangyaku was about family at the time. [ There had been hints, in retrospect, but the conversation that had brought the possibility up had been at a time when he hadn't even been sure about pursuing a life as a Hunter. ] I got my mom back even before I hit Fifth Circle. Most people would have changed their goals.

[ He didn't, though. ]

I can't say the exact moment, but I can say -- roughly -- when I was sure.

People I respect are part of Zangyaku. So are those I believe that I can learn a great many things from. [ Like Kalika Shinta. Like Makoto Kuzunoha and Malia Saab. ] So are people who I care deeply about.

[ Even if he hadn't known that you were Wolfborn, you said 'brother', and that could only mean so many people. ]

[habub]

[ Nodding, as if he understands. Truth be told, his primary reason for joining Zangyaku was Setsuna and Hikaru. ]

And you are prepared to follow our cause to its possible end.

[ That end being the possibility of having to put the Blade King down, of course. ]

[larue]

I am.

[ He's flexing one hand as he says that, as if testing how to curl his fingers properly in a fist.

His conviction is in the way he says the two words: without hesitation, and with equal amounts of regret and understanding.

( He's flashing back to a month ago when Elias Tagabigay allowed him to face his shadow. He hasn't forgotten how real it had felt, all the way down to the familiar weight of Hikaru's body in his arms. )

Love is a double-edged blade. He gets that now. ]

[habub]

[ An appraising look, one that actually shows a hint of approval in Kaizen's eyes, and then yet another nod. ]

Now I can see why I was asked to mentor you. I believe that you will not be a waste of my time.

[ He... actually means that as a compliment. ]

[larue]

[ And he's going to take it as a compliment because he read up on you and the rest of Wolf's Choice and he wouldn't want to waste your time either. ]

Thank you... brother. [ Better get into the practice of things, yeah? He is in Zangyaku now. ]

I am eager to learn and glad for this opportunity.

[habub]

Good, because before we actually start, I will need you to do something.

[ Said "something" is what he's pulling out of his coat now. You might just recognize the book if you've been to the Abubot.

Sliding it over in your direction. ]

[larue]

[ The cover is familiar, but he hasn't been to the Abubot in a while and it never occurred to him to go poking around if it wasn't anything of immediate concern.

He's setting a hand over it though and turning it around. It looks old, the book, and he doesn't miss that the binding of the black leather tome looks like bone. The pages look black as well and he's sparing a tentative glance to Inquisitor Tempesta before he turns the cover over to see what's inside. ]

[habub]

It is the Book of the Dead. I cannot read any of it, of course, but you should be able to within the language that is most comfortable to you.

[ In fact, as he's saying this, the gibberish on the pages is now correcting itself into proper English. The book in itself is starting to feel warm, and... is it breathing? ]

Your dossier has emphasized that while you are an incredibly skilled mortal operative who is well-attuned to his "condition", you have not had many opportunities to explore more of your nature as one of the Bound. Studying that book will mitigate this weakness, and - given your work ethic - eventually remove it entirely.

[larue]

[ He can sense how Coach seems to be watching quietly from his headspace and doing the mental equivalent of leaning in to peer down at the book for himself.

Josh is inspecting the make of the book now. The pages are, as he thought, black sheets, the writing intelligible though he's not quite sure what the exact shade of color it is beyond that it stands out well over the surface. The leather is soft to the touch. But yes, it's...

( The book feels like a warm body, Joshua. )

Oh. Um.

Turning his gaze back to the Inquisitor now. ]

H... how does do that? Do I just... read it?

[ Wow, that came out sounding so dumb. ]

[habub]

[ Either Kaizen does not seem to think it is a "dumb" query at all, or he doesn't give a shit.

(Hint: it's a bit of both.) ]

The Books of Revelation are all sentient due to the intent woven into their pages. All you have to do is commit yourself to reading it.

[ Pausing there. ]

Granted, I use the term "reading" lightly. You may find yourself experiencing visions or dreams relating to the secrets that you will find within that tome. Rest assured, they will not be debilitating.

[larue]

[ He's back to looking down at the book, and yeah, he's pretty sure now that it's breathing right there in his hands. It's... creepy. Just a little, but then, he's a Sin-Eater and he walks around with two ghosts in his head, a breathing book that's going to maybe give him visions and dreams shouldn't be too much of a stretch.

He closes the volume now. He'll get to reading it later when he's settled down for the night. ]

Thank you, brother. I'll make sure to study it well.

[habub]

[ Nods. ]

You deserve to have access to it. It will only make you a far better Keeper of the Vigil than you already are.

[ Hmm. What else? ]

We can have formal lessons after you have completed your study of the Book. Let us work by your schedule: I do not think that we have to meet regularly.

[larue]

[ He was actually going to suggest going by your schedule, since you handle Aegis Kai Doru and are kind of all over the place. ]

I'm good with this, sir.

[ He's not sure what he can say to further express his gratitude for the book. Or that compliment. He hasn't felt as useful to the Hounds as he would like to, but this will help in leaps and bounds. ]

I'll definitely keep you appraised of my movements.

[habub]

Good.

[ Putting out his latest cigarette. ]

Now, unless there are other matters that you wish to discuss with me, or anything that you wish to ask, I believe that we are done here.

[larue]

[ He takes a moment to think carefully on that. You've said that formal lessons will start when he's done with the book, and he's good with that arrangement given how he wants to make sure that you won't need to spoon-feed him information. ]

Just one more thing, sir. [ He really needs to get into the habit of calling fellow Zangyaku ops 'brother' or 'sister'... he'll... work on that. ] I just want to know if there's anything you think I should apply myself to as a new member of the Rashinban -- while I'm studying the Book of the Dead.

[habub]

Hmm.

[ A good question, that. ]

The essence of being a part of the Rashinban is to know at least at the surface everything there is to know while being able to specialize in particular areas of interest. We are, after all, investigators inasmuch as we are researchers. All things inform all other things.

[ A beat. ]

As such, you will have to decide what you wish to specialize in. You may inform me of your decision at any time. I will adjust what I seek to teach you accordingly.

[larue]

[ He likes this. He likes this very much. It's right up his alley without being... too overwhelming. ]

Thank you, brother. [ He'll take this opportunity to bow his head in deference. He's got a lot of reading and a considerable amount of thinking to do. ] I'll think on that and inform you as soon as I've settled on what it is I'd like to specialize in.

Thank you as well again, for this opportunity to learn under you.

[habub]

[ Standing up then, and nodding once more. ]

Do not thank me yet. You can consider it after we have truly gotten started.

[ He isn't an easy teacher in the slightest. ]

Enjoy yourself at the Festival. Remember what I have told you.

[ Because in actuality, the work never ends. ]

[larue]

I will, sir.

[ He stands just to see you off and then he's turning back to the book and running his fingers over the cover.

He's seen a good amount of the festival. It's time to get to work. ]