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

Doyle || OTA

[scorekeeper]

[A. Multi-thread; The next Morning]
[ Barenaked Ladies - Alcohol ]
With everything happening the way it was Doyle wasn't quite ready to process all of what had happened, mother fucking raptors. He made his way to town on foot, and possibly a hitchhiked ride as well. After realizing his room was completely destroyed he didn't stay to help just yet. No, he needed to take care of a certain thirst that the day has made worse.

It was morning when was let out of a car outside of the long driveway.'Thank's man! I'll pay ya back soon!' Bullshit (Bluff 24) Doyle moved towards the castle with a couple six packs on him. One in each hand and one under his arm, a fifth bottles of whiskey sticking out of each of his jacket pockets (Dex 19), he already had that hung over look on his face despite not ever actually having slept the night before. ]

Anybody thirsty? [ He asked as he came up on the colossus cleanup crew.] There warm but I'll spare a brew or two for the cause.

[ B. Multi thread; Throughout the week ]
[ Anyone who sees Doyle through the rest of the week will notice one of two if not both things. First, He's Tipsy to drunk as long as he's lucid. Second, he's willing to help wherever he can give a hand, even crack a few jokes to try and lift morale.

He was actively trying to avoid those he was on the team with. Feeling at fault for the raptor getting in and messing up Will and being too damn close to the babies and dogs.]

[olreliable]

[Willow is keeping busy, bringing supplies to people when they need them or hanging out in the library a lot and trying to help organize it. As she buzzes around the halls, trying to do everything and be everywhere, she accidentally runs into Doyle. Literally.]

Oh! I'm so sorry!

[And she's not even the one drinking...]

[scorekeeper]

[ Doyle nearly lost his balance when the pretty red head ran into him. (Dex 12) He somehow managed to stay on his feet, and even looped an arm aroudn Willow as much as to keep himself from falling as to keep her from falling either.]'

Don' worry 'bout it, you okay, Love? [ He asked both because of their collision and well, everything around them. ANd yes, he does have a slight slur]

[olreliable]

I think so. [She steadies the books in her arms.]

I was just- [Oh and then it hits her, the smell of alcohol. Her eyes widen a bit. It's like 10am Doyle, Christ...]

Uhm... Are YOU okay?

[scorekeeper]

Good, your in a mighty big hurry aren't you?

[ Pssh, its 5pm in Thailand then. Always 5 0'clock somewhere.]

Oh yeah, I'm fine, never been better love. [ He flashed her a playful grin to.]

B)

[allaboutme]

[ cordelia probably sees him drinking while he chips in somewhere, and can't help but make a comment b/c she's a treasure. ] Is that what you call healthy coping mechanisms?

[scorekeeper]

[ He figured no one would say anything given the state of the castle but when the beauty queen spoke up he arched a brow and looked her way. He couldn't even keep from smiling.]

Maybe not healthy, but it's as good as any, Princess. Whiskey'll cure whatever ails ya.

[allaboutme]

Yuck, or how about something that can't double as a paint remover?

[scorekeeper]

Good whiskey doubles as many thing's love. Paint removers just one.

[ He said it that way just to try and get a laugh out of her.]

Any way, most of the good booze is MIA, it's a cryin' shame.

B-ish

[morethanasidekick]

[If Doyle is looking to drink then at some point he's probably going to be directed to the Booze room. Otherwise known as Hawley's bedroom which Kenzi has so kindly turned into an open bar. You're welcome.]

We're out of vodka but I just rescued a bottle of whiskey from the reserves. [Which is Kenzi code for, she found said bottle while digging through the rubble that had once been her bedroom.]

[scorekeeper]

[ Of course once he was run dry when he caught news of the booze room. (Gather info; 22) When he made his way in he laughed a little at Kenzi's greeting, good to see his partner in crime was already here. Of course he already looked a little worse for wear.]

And a crime that is, but Whiskey's good, pretty sure Gasoline's good at this point. [ Doyle, no.] What'll it cost for a bit for a fella parched, love?

[morethanasidekick]

I'd suggest moonshine but it would take too darn long. [And if there was one thing people seemed to need now? It was alcohol.

She shakes her head immediately because while Kenzi may be known for her money-making schemes? This isn't one of those occasions. This is just the only way she knows how to help. Sometimes you gotta drink and try to forget, even for just a little while.]

Your money's no good here. If you happen to stumble across some alcohol in the clean up? Consider throwing a bottle this way is all.

[scorekeeper]

Now that'd have a kick, love. [ He laughed a bit and moved to collect that drink to. ]

Your an angel, ya know that? And yeah, I'll likely head back out tonight and bring some more booze back come dawn. [ Whose not sleeping, this guy.] Help fill the stocks for ya.

( b )

[bittersweeter]

[ it's no surprise that lila find's doyle in a bar, pulling up a stool next to him and ordering a straight vodka. no pink lemonade this time. ]

So. How was your day?

[scorekeeper]

[ He shifted just a bit to look at the knock out beside him. Clearly he shouldn't have hit a bar if he didn't want to be found. Oh well, he lifted his glass in mock salute.]

Today's not all that bad, not all that great either. Good t' see you made it out alive, princess. [ Throwing back the rest of the drink before lifting the bottle sitting by him to refill it. Having just asked for the bottle to keep from calling the poor bar tender from coming back.] You doin' alright?

[ By her drink of choice, he guessed not (Sense Motive; 19) But he figured it was a good opening to let her speak her mind.]

[bittersweeter]

Oh, I'm always alright, [ she pronounces blithely, seeming every bit as alright as she claims. (bluff 61) ] Cats always land on their feet, you know.

A little birdie told me that you happened to save one of my best friend's lives, so thanks for that. [ she raises her glass as if to toast him. ] Felicity is very important to me.

B

[highnotes]

[Lorne and Doyle have the same idea about keeping the alcohol flowing, though its effect isn't as obvious with the former-- one of the many perks of Pylean physiology, though it's times like these where Lorne wishes he could get well and truly drunk. It's not Doyle's drinking that draws his attention, however; they're both doing their part to keep morale up, but the aura of guilt that seems to be hanging around the Bracken demon is difficult for Lorne to ignore (Sense Motive 26), even if Doyle isn't singing.]

Hey, bucko-- you know, you're doing one hell of a job keeping people smiling, but seems like you're ignoring something a little closer to home. Everything okay?

[Yep. No preamble, no introductions. Lorne and Cordelia have more than a few things in common. Bluntness is right at the top of the list.]

[scorekeeper]

[ Doyle was used to demons with the crowd he ran with, even if he doesn't remember his time with Angel Investigations he remembers pretty much everything else. His old contacts his old freak outs. So when he hears Lorne speak he looks over and the fake smile falls as he takes one more drink from the cheap ass beer he was holding. Taking a second to process that.]

Yeah, everything's good, man. Nothin' wrong here. [ He lied and badly thanks to the booze (Bluff 6) ] I haven't seen you before, you new?

[highnotes]

[Lorne's not fooled for a second (Sense Motive nat 20), but he glosses over it for the moment-- small talk is worth more than most people are willing to give it credit for, especially when it comes to helping people feel at ease and loosening lips.]

Been here a few months-- mostly been here or in town, haven't been 'deployed' yet, as it were.

[Which is probably good, since even though he's dedicated to the cause, he might faint at the sight of blood.]

Name's Lorne.

[He's not as hesitant about giving the name out as he used to be. What's the point? He's not host of anything anymore.]

a

[bigbad]

That whiskey? [Spike's up late, and soon he'll have to give up for the day since the sun sure makes things tricky. But there's enough colossus bits he can at least punch into smaller pieces. Still, if there booze, maybe it's finally time for him to call it quits.]

[scorekeeper]

That it is, and you're welcome to it man.

[ He sat one of the six packs down and pulled the unopened bottle from his pocket and held it over towards Spike. ]

[bigbad]

[He takes it and raises it.]

Cheers. [He opens it and takes a swig.] Name's Spike, by the way. Don't think we've met. But so long as you're doing this important task, I suspect we'll get along.

b }

[allmydreams]

[Felicity swans over when he's at one of the bars, reaching for one of the bottles and two glasses before pouring out two doubles for the both of them.]

I owe you a drink.

[scorekeeper]

[ Doyle had actively been trying to avoid everyone from his group but when she poured the drinks he just offered her a half hearted smile.]

Ahh, you don't own me anything darlin'. I just did what anyone should have done. [ And blundered it, his mind added.]

[allmydreams]

I don't care what anyone would have done. You pulled me out of that mess and got me back to the clerics, which means I owe you a drink.

[She pauses to clink her glass against the top of his before downing her own.]

So thank you.