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 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.

[steelsinger]

[ Oh, no worries: he's helping himself to one after you're done lighting up. ]

And what about you?

[ He's gotten the impression that while you and Brigade have an understanding, your relationship with him is much more professional than, let's say, Brianna and Brigade. ]

[bostova]

[ She shrugs and takes a puff from her stick. She doesn't answer immediately, though. Eventually. ]

I'm glad he's gone.

[steelsinger]

Why?

[ It's just a question. No judgment, no presuppositions. Kaien isn't that kind of guy. ]

[bostova]

Hmm...

[ She's still looking off in the distance, cigarette between her lips, hand on the bottle. ]

We're better off without him.

[ Besides, "I never liked him in the first place" was a lie. ]

[steelsinger]

[ Well, there is that. ]

Well, you might actually be right there. I can name a few higher-ups who feel that way too.

[ Sip. ]

Course, I'm inclined to believe that he's better without the lot of you right now, rather than the other way around.

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.

[steelsinger]

Good.

[ Although truth be told, he isn't too surprised to hear that. That fight had gone down in precisely the kind of way that Hikaru hated: with the lives of people he cared about at stake. ]

Well, I'm only too happy to fill in his shoes around here until we all go.

[larue]

Doesn't look like we'll be doing much -- but if there's anything I can help with...

[ Have a small, sheepish shrug. This is Tengu territory, and he knows there won't be much for a Rashinban to do. ]

[steelsinger]

[ Cue crooked smile. ]

You're doing plenty by staying with our leader, and babysitting your blade. [ A beat. ] Beyond that, the only thing I can think of off the top of my head is the post-engagement report for your blade.

[larue]

[ Right. Shit. Post-engagement report and... he lifts a hand to let his fingers pinch the bridge of his nose. ]

I should get around to that.

[ He's not exactly looking forward to it, doing the whole recap of well... everything. But he'll get it done. You'll see as much in the way that line settles on his lips and how he nods. ]

[steelsinger]

[ Y e p . ]

Or you could put it off until we get back to Falner.

[ Just sayin'~ ]