<@Matthias> [The party at Haruko and friends' place continues! Kyon's had a chance to get some food and drink after being with Katie and Haruko for the presentation of Katie's painting. He's probably made some polite conversation and such. As he glances around the main room, he spots a familiar figure on the other side: Matthias Weiss. And it appears that Matthias has spotted him as well, as the law student in question begins to make his way over.] * Kyon has a cold drink in one hand, which leaves the other hand to wave curtly at Matthias as he draws nearer! * @Matthias doesn't have any food or drinks at the moment, but he returns the wave. "Good evening." * Kyon nods back curtly. "Having a good time?" <@Matthias> Reasonably well. The tea is good. The company is interesting. * Kyon cocks his head slightly and smirks. "They know a lot of different kinds of people." <@Matthias> [There's a loud burst of laughter from a group off to the side.] <@Matthias> They most certainly do. * Kyon nods again. "School going well?" * Matthias folds his arms across his chest. "Quite well. And all of your pursuits?" * Kyon shrugs quickly. "Lots of juggling. Keeping everything in the air enough for now." He smirks. "So it's time to add more." * @Matthias' lips quirk upward. "Of course it is. I spoke with your campaign manager not that long ago." * Kyon raises his eyebrows. "Yeah? I heard you were thinking of diving in, too." * @Matthias nods. "I have yet to make my candidacy official, but that's a formality." * Kyon nods quickly, and turns his cup around in his hand. "You'll have our support." He frowns. "Not that you should even need it. Thought we were done with all this." * @Matthias frowns slightly. "When things remained quiet for several years, I allowed myself to hope." * Kyon snorts. "Some people just can't let go. Could just be too much power to leave on the table." <@Matthias> And what's the point of having a table if they don't let other people know that they aren't allowed to sit at it? * Kyon smirks. "No point at all. And now we have to get involved." He blows out a breath. "Least we found out before. Easier to manage this way." <@Matthias> Indeed. So as of now, I know of three of the four suits who have candidates. * Kyon cocks his head to the side. "Who do you know? Let's compare lists." * @Matthias nods. "You, for one. Katie Andrews, for another. In addition to myself for the third, I've also heard rumors of Fuyuken considering a declaration of interest." * Kyon nods quickly. "We also heard about the Nine of Wands. She's definitely in, too. Had a conversation with her already." * @Matthias makes a hmm sound. "I don't believe I'm familiar with her." * Kyon twists his lips to the side. "Yamagata Kazuko. She reached out to us. That help?" <@Matthias> Ah, yes. It does. * Kyon nods quickly. "Pretty sure there's more, but we're still researching. I'll keep you posted, if you do the same." <@Matthias> Certainly. I assume that others will be coming forward soon. Right. So we'll be ready. Anything else I should be aware of there? * @Matthias quirks an eyebrow. "Have you set up your account yet?" * Kyon shakes his head quickly. "We've been holding off. Seems like people went out of their way for us not to know about it. Might as well hold on and not blow that we're in until we've got everything lined up." <@Matthias> Fair. I've heard that the security is... interesting. Make sure you have your hacker ready. He's already done some scouting there. Think we're ready for it. <@Matthias> Good. * Kyon nods back, and then smirks. "So. You want any baseball tickets?" <@Matthias> I wouldn't say no. I'm afraid my public mock trials won't be starting until quite some time, though. Gives me time to organize a cheering section. * @Matthias chuckles. "I hear someone throws confetti for the defense side if they win." * Kyon snorts. "Only for the defense? That's one-sided." <@Matthias> That's why I'll greatly appreciate that cheering section. * Kyon takes a sip of his drink, and sees Kyoko descending into the main room! He nods to Matthias. "Good talk. Just saw someone else I should catch up with." * @Matthias nods. "Take care. We can talk more later." * Kyon nods back, and makes his way through the crowd! [Kyoko's already scooting her way to another room, away from Kyon and Matthias but still in the party proper. Kyon's got long legs, though. He catches up to her easily.] * Kyon calls out as he draws closer, and nods. "Hey." [Kyoko starts, and she whirls to face him. One look at his face and she relaxes, mostly. "Hey."] * Kyon raises his eyebrows. "Having a good time?" ["Not really. I was thinking about leaving." Kyoko sighs, looking past Kyon to the party. "I don't even know why I came to this thing..." She smells a bit like alcohol - gin, really - but that's not unusual.] * Kyon shrugs quickly. "Hard to say no to Haruko. Plus it's good to see people." He cocks his head to the side. "You been okay?" [Kyoko shrugs, still not really looking at Kyon.] * Kyon lowers his voice a notch, and says, "Hey. Sorry I've been busy and I haven't been checking in. I know some of the others've been talking with you, too. Just want you to know I haven't forgotten anything." [Her eyes flick to Kyon's. She nods and says, just as quietly, "Yeah. I know."] * Kyon nods again, and gestures with his cup towards her. "Good. We've been on the same side longer than just about anyone I know here. Means a lot to me. So you can pull priority with me if you need it." [Kyoko shakes her head. "I shouldn't have to." She lets out a breath. "It's been quiet. Mostly."] * Kyon nods back, and says in the same lower voice. "Good. Quiet's good." He cuts his eyes over towards the refreshment table. "You want anything?" [She's about to shake her head again, then says, "Maybe water."] * Kyon tosses off a "right", and then makes his way over to the table to grab a water! He refills his own cup with some oolong tea while he's there, and then heads back to where he left her to offer the relevant cup. [Kyoko's hanging out where he left her, leaning against the wall. She takes the cup. "Thanks."] Sure. Get to talk with anyone interesting here? [She makes an 'eh' noise. "Haruko and Kaede. I talked to some of the housemates, too. And, uh. Haruko's friend, Maki." For some reason, this makes her blush slightly, and then her eyes flash with something - anger or embarrassment. With Kyoko, it can be hard to tell. She takes a breath. "They're... fine." She glances up at Kyon. "I saw you talking to Matthias."] * Kyon looks curious about the Maki response, but doesn't press it. "Yeah. Hadn't talked with him for a while, either." [Kyoko nods. "I've kind of been avoiding him. I didn't know he'd be here. So..."] * Kyon glances off back at him, and then at her. "Don't think he's gunning for you. He do something?" ["More like I did something to him." She shakes her head. "It was a while ago. I just... don't want to talk to him."] * Kyon shrugs quickly. "So don't. Lots of other people here to talk with. Or you can go hide on the roof and not talk to anyone." [Kyoko just sighs. And drinks her water. "Thanks for checking up on me."] One of my goals for the party. Good to see you here. ["Yeah." She smiles, a little. "Good to see you, too."] * Kyon nods back quickly. "Keeping busy?" ["Yeah," Kyoko sighs. "Very. Two jobs and... you know."] * Kyon nods curtly. "Yeah. It's a lot." ["I guess."] * Kyon takes a sip of his drink. "Can't help as much with the jobs, but we'll help with the rest." He thins out his lips, and shakes the ice in his cup. [She nods. "With the new guy, yeah. They probably told you that he sent us to the other place. I just don't know..." She trails off and shakes her head. "I don't really want to talk about it here. Maybe later, if you want."] * Kyon nods quickly. "Sure. I'll make the time." ["Yeah. Text me." Kyoko glances at the clock and hesitates. "Okay, I should probably *actually* go. If I don't see Kinsha-san on the way out, let her know I needed to get home?"] * Kyon nods back to her. "Sure, go for it. Stay safe." [She snerks. "Fat chance. *You* stay safe. You're better at it." Kyoko hesitates. "And... seriously, thank you."] * Kyon snorts a laugh, and then sketches a short bow. "Always." [Kyoko smiles a bit and bows quickly back before leaving, draining her cup as she goes.] * Kyon watches her for a beat, and then looks around the space to see where else to go! <@Matthias> [End in here!]