chicago ♔ but close my eyes for a while | and force from the world a patient smile

[shootfirst]

♬ Evil - Interpol

WHO || Spike, Francesca, Archer, Myri, Finnick, Elena, Buffy, Des, Gar, Mark, Kat, Rafael, Isabella, Jaka, Burt, Violet, Luthir, Val'drin, ??[Closed]
WHAT || The Knights prepare for the trial of Rafael Giovanni and face a few revelations along the way
WHERE || Various locations, Chicago
WHEN || July 17th - November 21st  [Back AND Forward dated]
HOW || Actionspam, don't sweat tag order!!


The trial of Rafael Giovanni looms on the horizon, as summer gives way to fall, the chill in the air creating a definite atmosphere of foreboding as the date grows closer. It's not merely Rafael's freedom on the line after all - but also Des', thanks to the deal he struck with Iscariot. While Francesca and Val'drin work to uncover the secret of the mysterious hourglass artifact, lawyer Jaka Teken'Duis uses his ... unique legal powers to work towards a "Temporary Insanity" case for Rafael. The Knights, unhappy about the potential ramifications of such a plea, continue to seek any evidence they can to show Rafael was actually innocent, and place conspiracy charges back on Chad Becksworth and his ilk for what transpired. Not everything they learn, however, is what they were hoping to find...

Others wage more personal battles, as the coming autumn signals the encroaching winter, and Luthir and Violet's time draws shorter to find a way to stop her nightmares, lest they kill her. Elena plays a dangerous game, working to uncover more of her nature by training her doppelganger powers - with the enemy.

This log covers any work and non-work related shenanigans the Knights have while staying in Chicago, immediately following the three mission logs and continuing for four months. This will be the Knight's last time in Chicago before the trial: after which they plan to return to the castle to fully Knight Violet and Dawn and decide where to head next.

Make your own threads, don't fuss about tag order, feel free to threadjack multiple people into one thread for hang-outs, ask me if you want a certain scene with an NPC, etc. forever whatever. There will be a few group scenes, which I'll alert everyone to on Plurk. They may not all be posted immediately, so keep an eye on this post for new threads as time goes by. Please wait to post social threads here until we reach a certain point in the top group thread. I will alert you all when you are free to post.

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buffy & rafael ♔ .part 1

[romanticidal]

[ buffy catches him on the couch channel surfing one fine evening when the team is largely scattered to the four winds doing their things. she'd walk in to his face lit by the glow of the screen as he clicks through the channel with all the listings of what's playing and he hovers over the title 'assassins' as she's standing in the doorway ahahaha. he shares an angsty moment with his remote. ]

Buffy:Yeah, I generally prefer Master Chef, but hey. Who am I to criticize a little over-identification.

[ he's so caught up in staring angstily at the screen that he barely notices, and she plops down next to him. he starts a bit as she plops down, blinking and only just registering what she said. he gives her a sheepish little smile.

Rafael: There is very little else on.
Buffy: Yeah, why watch people screw up in infomercials when Stallone could be blowing something up. [ It's a gentle sort of teasing. She reaches over him to go ahead and select that on the remote so he can stop having decision paralysis or PTSD or whatever has him staring deadeyes at the TV.

Mentioning explosions seems to relax him, actually. We won't get into the ramifications of that. He just cuts her a grin that's almost a real person smile, so that's nice. And then slouches back into the couch. ]

Rafael: I hope this whole thing is not in black and white...
Buffy: It's like you're in my head. [ Buffy looks absolutely disgruntled by the black and white tbh. SHE IS NOT OLD ENOUGH TO APPRECIATE THIS SHIT.
Rafael: [ as it fades to color ] Ah, see. They heard you.
Buffy: No, don't take your shoes off, don't - And, there you have it.
Rafael: I do not think he will be needing them soon.
Buffy: … Oh. So, he's - [ Buffy shoots Rafael a sidelong glance. She gulps. Of course he'd realize that quicker. He's just staring, his smile dropped down, his jaw tight. Clearly this is the best idea ever.
Buffy: Are you sure you don't want to go with the infomercials?
Rafael: [ And he lets out a sigh, and looks down. ] No, it is fine. [ He looks back up. And just watches the moment with a grim sort of understanding as Stallone hands the other assassin his gun so he can kill himself. He looks lost in contemplation for a long moment, sort of half registering the screen. Buffy breaks the awkward silence by cracking up at the sight of the old fashioned laptop.
Buffy: I - Sorry. I just - I mean, come on.
Rafael: [ That vaguely shakes him out of it and he snorts. ] May as well be black and white, si?
Buffy: I'm pretty sure professional killers had to be some of the first to move past the days of dial-up. [ Which is supposed to be a joke but Rafael would probably know ... ]
Rafael:[ absently: ] One of the perks of having high tech contacts.

[ Buffy just bugs her eyes a bit, tilts her head, and lets that one drop into silence. So that happened. It's clear that he doesn't seem like uncomfortable saying any of these things, which is something because he never talks about it. She wants to ask. She really, really wants to ask about the things that aren't necessarily clicking with her as far as assassin protocol and why the hell that guy would be circling what she assumes is his mark's eyes. But as much as Rafael might not be uncomfortable, Buffy doesn't want to drag those parts of him up without prompting. He looks less grim already, just watching with interest now. It seemed like the opening sequence shook him a bit but he's good now. ]

Buffy: Okay, just because you're a criminal doesn't need your fashion sense needs to be criminal, too. What is with sniper guy's hair?

[ He laughs loudly and then runs a hand through his. Because it looks pretty similar actually. Oops. He cuts her an amused Look. She returns the look with a quirky grin of her own, and her gaze flickers to her hair like she almost wants to reach up to run a hand through it too but is resisting. She turns her attention decisively back to the screen. Epic will save.
(19) It probably takes like a DC 17 to resist playing with raf's hair ok. ]

Rafael: That is something I have never been unfortunate to have happen: someone else after the same mark.
Buffy: What's the biggie? I mean, he wanted the guy dead, now he's dead. Everybody goes home happy right? Well. Everybody except the dead guy.
Rafael: Only the one who put the bullet in him gets paid. But it is more than that. They are, however, a different.... class of assassin. It is about the money, and the status. Sort of a brand of honor, in their interpretation. It is... different from what... from having political motivations. But I have known men of that sort.
Buffy: [ Buffy's confusion softens into a grim, sympathetic sort of look. She leans her shoulder against his. ] I've met my share of sleaze, too. [ Because while he might see where they get honor out of it, Buffy only sees amoral self-interest. ]
Rafael: [ He looks down at her for a moment, and gives her a little understanding smile, pressing his shoulder against hers too in a sort of show of solidarity. ] They exist in all walks, I'm afraid.
Buffy: What's the point of trying to kill him? He already stole your stupid money and assassin-points.
Rafael: Well... he is kind of a, how do you say... [ he bobs his head back and forth a bit. ] A dick.

[ That gets a real laugh out of her but his face falls as Antonio Banderas takes aim at a child. ]

Rafael: ... Well, now he has a reason to kill him.
Buffy: That'll do it.

[ in the thrilling car chase that follows, he laughs as stallone gets an upper hand and starts ramming antonio against a bus as he's hanging out the back window his taxi. Antonio Banderas' pain is hilarious to him. And then he sighs. ]

Rafael: I miss my car.
Buffy: You could always import it. You know, uh, when you can leave the hotel again. [ She looks over at him, thoughtful. ] But it'd probably just wind up like Des' did ...
Rafael: [ He shudders. ] I think it is safer at my palazzo, even with men attempting to destroy my home.
Buffy: I realize I can't exactly … I mean, I can't ever remember really having a home, I've never spent enough time in the castle for it to feel that way. But the way I look at it, it's not the place. It's the people. And Isabella and Hiro, well, they're gonna be fine.
Rafael: [ He glances down at her. ] ... si. I feel much the same. ... But it would still be a shame about the car. [ He smirks grimly again, looking forward. ]
Buffy: [ That gets a laugh and she tips her head. ] Yeah, it kinda would.
Rafael: Would not it be more dramatic to be checkmate? Ah, I see.
Buffy: I'm more curious why chess is triggering his PTSD, personally.
Rafael: Do you not see? [ His mouth flattens into a line and says dully: ] His friend. His friend became a mark.
Buffy: [ Buffy's expression softens and she glances down. ] No wonder it seems like he wants out.
Rafael: ... Si. [ He gets really quiet. ] ....
Buffy: [ as the female love interest hacker cat lady is introduced, Buffy is clearing her throat, tilting her head a little. ] That's … unexpected.
Rafael: Do all hackers.... enjoy their cats so much? [ he looks over his shoulder, as if kat is gonna pop out and say boo. ]
Buffy: Well, look at Kat. [ shrugs ]
Rafael: Ah, this must have been before reality TV, no?
Buffy: [ She holds out a hand toward Rafael. ] Twenty bucks Stallone falls madly in love with her, and can't go through with it.
Rafael: [ He stares at her hand. ] I may be a daring man, but not a fool.
Buffy: [ Another laugh at that one, and she drops her hand back to her lap. ] Touché.
Rafael: Is she... Hissing at her...
Buffy: Maybe she brought her cat.
Rafael: [ He laughs, and then the cat appears ] How did you know?!
Buffy: [ Buffy scratches her head in a way that indicates SHE WASN'T SERIOUS BUT OK, ASSASSINS. OK. THIS ROUND TO YOU. ] And that's why you don't pull your gun out at an airport.
Rafael: Why would he pull his weapon on him in public... I believe this was also before the Twin Towers. Perhaps before assassins developed common sense, as well.
Buffy: I'd kinda hoped that given the nature of the job that was always a requirement.
Rafael: Banderas does not seem to have been held to such high standards.
Buffy: [ re: his hair ] Yeah, slicking it back doesn't make it any better. Eugh.
Rafael: I will keep that in mind.
Buffy: Dial-up and floppy disks. Was hacker even a profession then?
Rafael: Always with the ducts.
Buffy: Of course the crazy cat lady thing is what gets her nailed.
Rafael: Why it is bad to have a calling card that is not misleading.
Buffy: Maybe she should have gone with the puppy paw clipart instead.

[ He laughs. Now that the movie's reached a lull of sorts where action replaces the plot, she turns her attention more fully on him, considering the laugh. As much as she might get uncomfortable and delicate about the assassin thing, he … seems totally at ease with it. Almost like the lack of pretense is easier than the alternative. He gets to talk about what he knows. In fact, he even makes a comment about how sloppy Antonio's string of subsequent murders are. ]

Buffy: Sometimes, you just have to know when to leave the cat behind. He probably isn't going to kill it. Probably.
Rafael: I don't know. He seems the type to take collateral where he can get it.
Buffy: [ Buffy shrugs and gives a nod of acknowledgment. ] He's so annoying! Just shoot the stupid receiver and get on with your life! [ as antonio taunts stallone about how ~shooting a woman is different~ ] Oh, please. Dial-up and bad hair, I can handle, but can we not with the sexism?!
Rafael: I would have lost the bet, I see. ... Now she leaves the cat. ... How did he find that in the entire town?
Buffy: Movie magic. Don't ruin it. [ She nudges him with her elbow. ]

buffy & rafael ♔ .part 2

[romanticidal]

Rafael: Nowadays he could cross reference on satellites. I don't think they had the Google maps. He does not even wear gloves for any of this. Movie magic can only go so far.
Buffy: What a stupid way to celebrate your birthday.
Rafael: It is better than fighting Iscariot agents, perhaps. [ He gives her a wry smile. Stupid Alexander Anderson, ruining his birthday. And he laughs again because explosions. ] 40,000 dollars for a cat?
Buffy: It's nice to know you don't just get over crazy cat lady levels of antisocial in five minutes.
Rafael: And that Miguel continues to show his genius, using the computer in the bathtub. [ He chuckles. ]
Buffy: I'm starting to wonder if the cat's going to make it through this movie alive. [ Buffy seems legitimately distracted by considering this. ]
Rafael: They cannot all have a happily ever after, trying to retire from these trades of theirs. It would seem especially tragic, though, for the cat to suffer for their crimes.
Buffy: I think that's why they call it a movie. Because it doesn't matter how hard it'd actually be to put that stuff behind them and forget about it; they get to do it because that's what people want to see.
Rafael: [ The little smile stays on his face but the look in his eyes saddens a bit as he stares forward. ] ... It is a nice thought, you must admit. Everyone wants a happy ending.
Buffy: [ She seems to consider it, tilting her head a little and pressing her tongue to the inside of her cheek as she mulls it over. ] Yeah. But, not everybody's happily ever after is the same. For some people, it doesn't mean putting the past behind them, but doing something good with it instead.
Rafael: [ He turns to look at her. ] Some people?

[ That makes her straighten up, looking back at him. For a minute, she feels put on the spot by it. It's really too bad the movie lulls at that moment so she can't distract from it. ]

Buffy: Yeah. Just depends, I guess.

[ She glances quickly down. He doesn't say anything for a beat. But after about thirty seconds, he slides his hand over and squeezes hers. For a moment, she doesn't respond, but then she turns her hand over to lightly hold his back. She offers him a sad sort of smile. He returns the same, but he just looks tired behind his eyes, as if there's a hollowness behind the attempt to connect. And then he looks back at the screen. She continues to watch him as the expression falls, but eventually she too looks back at the screen, without moving her hand. He doesn't either, as if he appreciates the ballast, but he runs his other hand through his hair again, leaning that elbow on the back of the couch and tilting his head into his palm. His hand reflexively tightens for a second. That makes her consider him for a moment, trying to figure out what's wrong without asking, because she's afraid he'll withdraw if she does. He just stares ahead, forehead slightly furrowed. And he just looks down, seeming so sad over all this. ]

Buffy: Hey. [ She squeezes his hand a little. ] We can watch something else, it's okay. You don't have to - [ She isn't sure what's going on, but she can tell it's evoking bad memories. He drags his eyes up and he looks so entirely haunted for a split second. But then he forces a smile and squeezes her hand again. ]
Rafael: Well, now I want to see if the cat lives.

[ later in the movie, as stallone monologues about his past and mistakes and how sometimes he wished someone would end it for him, his hand death grips on hers for a moment before he realizes what he's doing. and then he relaxes it and shifts in place on the couch. She opens her mouth and closes it a few times over, looking strained and lost for what she can say. Finally, seemingly without realizing it, she quietly asks: ]

Buffy: What happened to you?
Rafael: [ His face hardens, and his fingers absently rub over hers as he stares straight ahead. ] ... There are regrets I have long lived with as well. I... understand the desire.
Buffy: You don't have to tell me. If you don't want to, I- I get it. I do. But, please tell me you have someone that you can talk to about this, that you're not just holding it all in. We're supposed to learn from things we regret, and move on, and do better, not fixate on them until they make us … freak out over movies. [ She hurries the end of the sentence, because it's not the point, but she has to make it clear she's concerned. He doesn't respond for a moment, just watches the scene, thinking. And then releases a hiss of a breath. ]
Rafael: There are things I have done that I am not proud of, more than you may know. I know now - I knew then, even. They are things I have learned much from. But they are things I cannot undo. At times I have found myself thinking maybe it would be better... [ He shakes his head. ]
Buffy: What would be better?
Rafael: [ He just turns and stares at her uncertainly. ] I know better than to listen to these thoughts. You need not worry, carina.
Buffy: [ Her free hand reaches up steadily to touch the side of his face, conflict and concern evident in her expression. It's hard to find the right words to say, but she has to say something. ] Nothing you've done is going to change what I think of you. [ More like how she feels about him, but she backs down from using that phrasing. ] I can't lose you.
Rafael: [ He stares back for a long moment, but the uncertainty melts into a grateful little smile. ] You won't.

[ The dramatic music draws his attention back... also Antonio launching into a rant of colorful profanity. She's jerked out of the reverie by the same. Moment ruined. Thanks, Antonio Banderas. Somewhere in all this, he slips his hand out of hers and shifts in place, leaning forward and clasping his hands in front of his knees as he FOCUSES ON THE MOVIE very intently. While Buffy has quieted down to the focus on the movie, she will take the time to indignantly complain as Julianne Moore gets trapped in the floorboards. ]

Buffy: Come on! Elena's got the upper body strength of a teddy bear and even she could pull herself out of that.
Rafael: [ He chuckles again. ] If I were Rath, I would rather have any of you ladies on my side.
Buffy: [ After some consideration: ] I don't know. She might be a better shot that Kat.
Rafael: [ With that, he cracks up. ] It must come with the territory... that and the cat hair And the many people skills.
Buffy: [ She laughs as well and they fall silent through the dramatic showdown conclusion of the movie. As the credits roll: ] So, that's a yes on the cat making it. [ She sinks back into the couch. He smirks a bit and leans back again as well and then lolls his head over to look at her. ]
Rafael: Happy ending.
Buffy: [ Buffy grins back at him. ] Movie magic.
Rafael: Let a man have his fairy tale.