london ♔ when the gusts came around to blow me down

[wynn]

  iron sky - paolo nutini

WHO || Everyone and their dog.
WHAT || In the aftermath of the attack, the Knights attempt to recover
WHERE || Knights HQ, etc.
WHEN || Dec. 1st-8th, 2015
HOW || Actionspam

As darkness falls all around the castle, the remaining Knights straggle out of their broken castle to survey the damage and count the dead – of which there are three: Rose Hathaway, Kali, and Killian Jones.

What began like any other day for most quickly descended into a nightmare, after Wynn and most of the Section Heads were lured out to downtown London to face a threat of dual dragons, who turned out to be only clockwork creations of deposed Andres dictator Dimitris Sarandis, robotic menaces that were nothing but a distraction from the real threat. Having rallied support from some of the Knights' other enemies, Dimitris sent an army of chipped creatures, Shadowkind, robots, and a giant tank to destroy the Knighthood's headquarters, dropping part of the roof down onto the training room and med center in the initial explosive blast. Sarandis' alliance with a mysterious hacker named One (who turned out to have been the man who invented technomagic in the first place along with Zero) not only downed the Knights' communications, but also their defensive and surveillance systems (with some help from a mentally dominated Eleven). Whatever preparations Zero had made for an attack by One were undermined by the sudden but inevitable betrayal of the humanized robot GlaDOS, who introduced a learning virus into the system before taking off, likely having made some kind of deal with One to restore her robotic form.

The Knights rallied under the remaining sect leaders – Lis'sa and Koraith – to make a plan to fight back and try to take down Dimitris, who sent a taunting message out across the Drakenet, announcing his intentions to leave the castle as a smoking crater littered with corpses. Fearing that the attack might also be meant to target Myri and Vi's children, a group moved them to the Round Table Room, perhaps the most secure location in the building. The attack was a smokescreen of sorts, something Vi realized, taking Elena, Des, and Faith O'Keefe with her to the library in hopes of saving the elven mage, Lazarus, whose blood the villains required to unleash the nightmare god Malaak'a upon the world. The library, however, was already in shambles, thanks to a fire-slinging red half-dragon who had confronted some Knights there (and led Kate Beckett to discover something strange about herself...). Des remained in the hallway to confront a demon, in the same place where Skye had nearly died to an ifrit pyrokineticist named Serafina, one of Dimitris' chipped experiments. Sawyer Kelly and Alex Karamazov butted heads when it came down to sparing the enslaved ifrit, but in the end, Alex made the decision by putting a bullet in her head when Mars wouldn't act – much to Sawyer's horror. Things went to hell pretty quickly when the villainous Mind Master drove into the library on a motorcycle and proceeded to almost slaughter Vi, Elena, Faith, and Gar, making vicious comments to the former about going to see her deceased husband again. When Elena grabbed the Mind Master, she abruptly vanished, and Elena's whereabouts remain unknown. The Mind Master proceeded to make her way into Lazarus' secret chambers beneath the library, slitting his throat and collecting the magic that coursed through his veins in lieu of blood, the lasting effect of his having survived the ritual that sealed Malaak'a away in the first place.

Meanwhile, downtown, while Carol Danvers and Clark Kent played superhero around the city, Sam and Buffy ran into the archangels Raphael and Zerachiel, who were assisting the wounded of London, and Buffy cut a deal with Raphael after he cautioned her that some sort of big demon was also involved in the attack. In exchange for allowing Hell's forces further freedom of movement (the necessary cost to maintain the balance of the universe), Raphael transported Buffy right into the middle of the fray. The demon already gone, the angel advised her to go and protect the children – which turned out to be necessary indeed, as Sarandis had sent chipped, invisible raptors after the babies. Will Graham nearly died in the attack, but no children – or dogs – fell prey to the beasts.

Outside, a number of Knights armed to the teeth with grenades, rocket launchers, and flame throwers took on a towering seventy-foot tall Colossus that was ripping the castle apart. However, when Steve Rogers cut its head off with an expertly thrown shield toss, the monstrosity fell into the front of the castle with all of its three hundred tons, (and on fire, courtesy of Baal) and many barely escaped with their lives. Wolverine was the only person trapped in the ensuing rubble, but Nathan Young and Amy Pond dug him free as his body healed up the massive wounds suffered.

A strike team was sent out to take on Dimitris in his tank, and Spike and Dean drove Archer's car straight into the oversized military vehicle as a distraction, while Cora Hale, Rose, and Kali disabled the tank and its weapons and broke their way inside. What they found, however, was merely a projection of Dimitris taunting them, as Cora's werewolf senses alerted her immediately to the fact that no one was actually inside but them. Too late, the girls tried to escape – as the tank exploded in a volley of shrapnel and gout of flame, that also caught Christos La Krail and Grant Ward off guard, who had just arrived at the gate so that Ward might meet with Wynn for his official Knighthood interview. As everyone scrabbled to save the injured, a bag of grenades that Kali had dropped caused a secondary explosion, that took Rose and Kali's lives. Dean and Spike proceeded to look insane when the archangel Michael showed up to collect the souls of the dead, and they were the only two who could see him, but Cap stood his ground anyway with them. Dean angrily refused to give up on Rose's life, despite the fact that the death of her bondmate Lissa less than twenty four hours prior had left her connection to life weakened already. Michael cautioned him against doing 'something stupid', as Dean stalked off with her body.

Meanwhile, after realizing Zero's role in all this and helping return him to his senses so that he and Skye could restore communications and defenses, Lila Zacharov-Gray took off with Alex to the upper floor to find Amara. They discovered the homo magi using her powerful magic to keep the ceiling from collapsing into the entire castle, and while she entreated them to evacuate, Lila refused to leave her, prompting Amara to use her most powerful spell to repair the structural damage that was threatening to capsize the castle, at the cost of alerting her father to her exact location.

Just when it seemed like all might be well, Emma Swan, cursed by Poseidon to turn into a flesh-eating kelpie if she wasn't in water by sundown, came across the body of Lazarus and found her monstrous hunger awakened. Dissatisfied with the bloodless corpse, she decided to make a meal of Killian Jones, magically teleporting him into the pond behind the Knighthood, where in spite of Faye and Alex's best efforts, Killian was drowned. Luckily, however, they prevented Emma from eating her true love.

The other Knights fought bravely against basilisks, clockwork mages, and giant scorpions, while trying to assist the wounded, rescue the trapped, and do everything they could to protect the Knights' assets from falling into Dimitris' hands. With the smoke cleared, their home – thanks to Amara – remains standing, but the damage to it is substantial and won't be repaired overnight, even with magic at their disposal. More lasting will be the emotional scars of watching the only home some of them even remember ever having broken around them, their illusion of safety shattered, and their peace violated – not to mention the looming possibility of the Nightmare God being freed.

[ You are now free to make top posts for your characters in the wake of the attack. These top posts may include multiple sections (with different instructions for whether you want them to be open to multiple threads for that scene or closed to a single thread with multiple participants), that deal with anything directly after the events of the event post, and in the week following. I recommend using letters or numbers to indicate each section, so that those responding can put what they are doing in the subject line, to help others quickly know where to go to jump into any single threads.

There will be a thread about Wynn's return and a subsequent Drakenet post addressing IC-ly where people will live. Those with rooms in the Dragon's Tongue, Dragon's Hide, Dragon's Hoard, and Dragon's Fire wing will find their rooms almost entirely undamaged and still livable, but there is a percentage chance that anyone in the Dragon's Light or squire rooms will have their room destroyed. Please ask me for each of your characters this applies to and I will let you know the extent of the damage. Your characters are free to try searching the rubble for their personal effects – just include it in their top post with a search check please, and I'll let you know how much of their stuff is recoverable. Rebuilding efforts will commence within the week, so if your character has any way of contributing to putting the castle back together, that's also top post fodder. There is limited space in the Knights' downtown London office for some Knights to stay, while others may have their own apartments, etc. Other options may open up eventually. If your character is no longer living in the castle, please use your top post to establish this! I will put up top posts for each potential resurrection attempt, as rezzes take multiple days IC-ly to even be attempted.

Destroyed/heavily damaged sections of the castle: front hall/lobby (the Colossus is still there)/stairs, but there are currently ladders to access the second floor; the Dragon's Light wing/office/small library/bathrooms; the chapel; the med center; the training room; the armory; the bowling alley; the piano room; billiards room; parlor; the Dragon's claws bedrooms; parts of the dining hall; the library is intact but heavily damaged, many of the books destroyed by fire. After the first couple days, additional doors have been added to the castle at the far west end of the horizontal squire bedrooms hall, and beside the Dragon's hoard wing to enter the building, and a door has been installed at the southwest corner of the dining hall to allow people to cut through it to circumvent the Colossus still taking up the lobby and blocking access to the main hall. ]

Comments

alec » ota (sorta)

[monticora]

[ a. few days later return - multi-thread

Vegas. You can't blame Alec for scampering off there first chance he got. The money he was making here was decent and he actually had free time. Vegas was logical and off Alec went. Strippers. Gambling. Drinking. Having a very lovely time. He spent a lovely couple of days in the company of a wonderful stripper by the name of Kandee. He asked her why she spelled it that way and then she told him it was on her birth certificate that way and Alec just felt sad for her.

Eventually the news gets to him about the castle though and he's on the first flight back to England to figure out what the hell happened. Part of him's happy he missed getting blown up and the other is pissed he missed the fight. When he finally rolls up to the castle his first instinct is to look for Malina. His grumpy mentor who probably tried to throw those stupid fucking fireballs and electricity. GET A NEW TRICK, WOMAN. Either way he looks for her and eventually makes his way to his half destroyed room. Fuck that stupid giant robot and tank in their stupid asses. This was his pride and joy. He does try to find some of his things (search 19). Once that's done then comes the task of Alec trying to find a room to bunk in. The first night is covered by Malina, but eventually he gets kicked out and has to find a new place. Whatever, Malina, he didn't like your stupid pink chairs anyways.

b. for sawyer

He doesn't like being homeless. In Manticore he always had a bed. Even when he was out in the world Alec had a bed or a way of getting a bed. It's weird to live in a giant castle, but not have your own designated space. He always wanted that. Needed it. Now he's shuffling room to room and sleeping on furniture that sucks. Not that he can't hack it, but it sucks. Plus Malina is more crabby than ever. He's pretty much decided if he wants to keep his body parts intact then he should probably steer clear of her a lot of the time.

Alec's pretty easy to spot. Especially right now given that he's fresh from aggravating Malina. He apparently doesn't heed his own advice because sometimes he just can't resist poking that bear. He's practically sprinting away from her and easy for Sawyer to spot. ]

[bredinthebone]

[She opens the door to her room, sees Alec's face, stares for a long moment and shakes her head as she tries to close the door again.]

Nope.

[monticora]

[ Excuse you, Malina, worst Knight mentor ever. Alec puts his foot down in the doorway to block the closing door. ]

Oh yeah. This is happening. My room's half rubble. Move it or lose it, sister.

[bredinthebone]

[She huffs a bit as he pushes past her into the room, clearly not thrilled with this turn of events. Once he's inside, she closes the door behind him and places her hands on her hips.]

You're sleeping in the chair. I'm going to pass out. If I hear a word out of you, so help me it will hurt.

[She's been electrocuted and set on fire by robot mages, don't test her, Alec.]

[monticora]

[ He spins around and gives her a look. One that questions why she's treating him like he's a small child. Which probably is the right way to handle him, but he'll never even admit to that. ]

How do you even have friends? I'm just curious.

[bredinthebone]

Ever consider that maybe I just don't like cocky assholes?

[She has a feeling that no, that thought never crossed his mind.]

[monticora]

Who says I'm an asshole?

[ Seriously. Do people in the castle say he's an asshole? He knows he's cocky, but an asshole? ]

[bredinthebone]

[She pauses for a moment before pointing to herself.]

I do. I say you're an asshole.

[monticora]

[ He scrunches up his nose. ]

Whatever. You say I'm an asshole all the time. You don't even count at this point.

[ He waves a hand and wanders over to the pink chair to collapse into it. ]

This room seems very girly for you. Do you sizzle when you touch the pink?

[bredinthebone]

[She groans as she goes to flop into bed, running her hands over her face.]

Didn't I say something about you not talking?

[killingtodeath]

[Stiles has a room that wasn't damaged! So if Alec is just on a hunt to not be homeless, there's a teenage boy with his door open in the Dragon's Tongue wing, just taking a few minutes to relax before he heads back out to help put the castle back together.]

[monticora]

[ When Alec wanders up to Stiles' doorway he doesn't really say anything. He just lingers and looks the room over. He drops the bag (he stuffed his things in when he was trying to dig out some of his crap) onto the floor once he steps inside the room. ]

This'll work. [ He gives Stiles a grin. ] Alec. [ He introduces himself which seems weird considering he just marched in and claimed he'd be bedding here in his own way. ]

[killingtodeath]

Uh...hi? [He's so confused.] Stiles. What will work?

[monticora]

[ He doesn't hesitate to make his way across the room to sit on the edge of Stiles' bed. He wants to be comfortable after all. ]

The room. Welcome to the best time you're ever gonna have, bunk buddy.

[killingtodeath]

... Sorry, what? I mean- okay I'm guessing your room was trashed so yeah...yeah, I guess. But did someone send you here or... I mean, I don't know you, right? I didn't black out and forget meeting you?

[monticora]

You don't know me, but you'll get to know me.

[ He smiles at him because Alec refuses to let anything get him down right now. Happy go lucky sociopath until the end of time. ]

Trust me. You'll like having me as a roommate.

[killingtodeath]

[Stiles just... Nods slowly.]

Alright, sure. I mean, this is what we do right? Help each other out.

[monticora]

[ Alec reaches out slap him on the shoulder. ]

Exactly! Look at you. Giving. You're a giver, man. [ He smiles. ] You got any food around here?

[incantatio]

[And if Sawyer were in any way focused on anything around her, maybe she would have noticed the guy careening towards her but fresh from the ballroom where she'd been sitting in one position for far too long? She's too lost in her own head to be aware of her surroundings and if Alec doesn't make a quick stop. (Reflex Save). He's going to crash straight into her.]

[monticora]

[ He spins around to get a good look at the direction he was fleeing from Malina just to make sure that she wasn't giving chase to him. Which is why he crashes straight into Sawyer (sure did crit fail that reflex save LOL). ] Fuck! [ He shouts as makes contact. ]

[incantatio]

[The funny thing about Crit Fails. They always have terrible consequences and seeing as you didn't choose one for them, see what I'm going to do right now?

The collision alone probably would have been bad enough on a good day but a crit fail on a bed? It's probably for the best that they're so close to where the clerics are hard at work as they crash into one another in a shocking tangle of limbs, because when Sawyer lifts her head to look at who she'd run into?

She can taste the metallic tang of blood as her tongue flickers over the trickle that's winding it's way from her newly split lip to her chin, a hand coming up to dab at it and only making her flinch.]

... Ow? [Almost like she can't believe that just happened.]

[monticora]

[ Down they go. This is definitely not how Alec has ever wanted to meet anyone. Especially because the minute he gets eyes on her then he's gonna realize that she's hot. He just mowed down a hot chick because he was trying to outrun his super rude and bossy Knight. Definitely not how he wanted this to happen.

Once they're no longer head straight for the floor Alec can actually focus. Sort of. Because there's a sharp pain over his left eye. His eyebrow is split and he grunts when he reaches up to touch it. He pushes himself up to look at Sawyer and squints. ] You okay? Please don't tell me you broke something.

[incantatio]

Just my fall... and your.. head did that I think. [Her tongue snaking over her lip automatically, Sawyer immediately regretting that action as she grimaces through the taste of blood.]

I'm fine - I'm... [But you really only needed to look at her to know that was crap. The cut was little more than a split lip, nothing to cry about but she doesn't really look like somebody who has known what the meaning of fine is for quite some time. Her features show the weary lines and puffiness brought on by a lack of sleep and there is just an overall air of exhaustion about her that hangs over her head like a dark cloud.

All of that gets pushed aside however as she watches him sit up, her hand motioning at the mirrored place where he's bleeding.] Your eye, you...

[monticora]

[ He can read people pretty well. When he's paying attention. He also often just keeps pushing when he sees them getting to their breaking points. This typically falls on Malina. He is often needling her and watching her snap. It's too easy really. His Knight makes it simple.

The way Sawyer looks right now is sort of familiar. Whether he's seen it in Max's eyes or his own is not something Alec can recall. Still he studies her for a little bit before he nods. Alec has never been the guy who asks people about their emotional state. Unless he's being nosy. Or your name's Malina. ]

Yeah, yeah. It's fine. [ He waves her off. Pity is not his style. Even if it's not pity and more logical concern. ] I'm good. I've had more split brows and lips than I know what to do with most days. You need some ice for that lip?

[incantatio]

[She looks at him, almost befuddled given they're standing right outside the ballroom.]

No, it's... [Glancing towards the doors she'd just come through.] I'll just get one of the clerics to fix it when I go back in.

[Though she doesn't seem all that keen on doing so just yet, mostly because watching an attempted rez is mentally and emotionally draining.]