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.

Comments

[socialgraces]

[ SOMEONE MADE YOU COOKIES! and they're pretty good cookies too (craft: baking 14). she makes her way to the couch opposite him, setting the plate down on the table between them. ] Thought you might need a pick-me-up.

[65]

[COOKIES! he hasn't had any of franny's cookies in ten long yurrs. ;_; and he missed them. fuck booze he sets that aside in favor of stuffing a cookie in his mouth.] You always seem to know me so well.

[socialgraces]

[ maybe because they have the same coping habits :/ she watches as he sets his drink aside, her expression darkening slightly. you know what, she's gonna eat a cookie, too. ] Boredom isn't the worse curse imaginable. [ so it can't be why you're drinking like a fish, dude ] I hope it's at least better than what you've walked away from?

[65]

It's — it's been quiet. I've had a lot of time alone with my thoughts. [he's afraid to tell her what he's really been feeling — like he might actually miss being famous. especially after she came after he called her crying to get out of it. and especially after myri reminded him of that the second he tried to say anything to her.]

[socialgraces]

Trust me, I know the feeling. [ she sighs, and with her sense motive of 29, she ventures further: ] And what have your thoughts led you to? I assume no grandiose epiphanies. [ she gives him a sympathetic little smile ] I've never had much luck with those either.

[65]

No. [he shakes his head, managing a small almost-chuckle.] Just, maybe, this is odd, but — do you ever miss the things you hate?

[socialgraces]

Yes... or I used to, all the time. I suppose the fact that you're feeling anything but indifferent towards it signifies it still means something to you, one way or another. It can't be all bad.

[65]

Most things always lie somewhere between all bad and all good, I find.

[socialgraces]

Me too, for the most part. You know, it's always easier to stick with what you know, for better or worse, than venture into something new. Especially when you know what to expect from the former, and are still uncertain about latter. I don't think it's so wrong to crave... comfort, do you?

[65]

Not at all. [he shakes his head. and eats a cookie while they're sitting here in front of him, being all enticing.] I knew you would understand.

[socialgraces]

Although when there's something particularly toxic in your life, it is important to step back and realize you do have other options. Which is why you called me, all those weeks ago. [ maybe it's time to call on her again js... although she doesn't really have much room to talk. ]

[65]

[sloooow stare] What are you getting at?

[socialgraces]

I'm simply offering you a sympathetic ear. I kind of thought that was our thing. [ she gives him a smile, effectively lightening the mood just a bit (diplomacy 45) as she eases back into her seat ] You are my foremost concern in being here, after all.

[65]

[he laughs a little. he presence manages to set him at ease (as usual), but he still seems distant.] You know I'm thankful for that, right? I could never be thankful enough.

[socialgraces]

I know, I'm not looking for your gratitude. I simply want you to be... happy. [ and she can tell you're not :| ]

[65]

[he wants to argue that he is happy, but ... lol.] I'll be happy when all of this is over.

[socialgraces]

What do you think it is, that will make you happy? [ because she's on this personal quest as well ] When all this is over, do you think you'll find... peace? Or something else?

[65]

I don't know if I'll find peace, but I believe it will be more peaceful.

[after a pause, sigh, and propping of his head against his hand—] Maybe I'll ask Myri to marry me.

[socialgraces]

[ well that... causes her to pause for a moment, and she looks both stunned and puzzled, but he's throwing up some pretty mixed signals of his own ] Al- Already? I know you love her, I'm not doubting that, but... there isn't a rush, you know.

[65]

Not right now! Just ... when all of this settles down.

[socialgraces]

Well, that sounds... nice. [ i'm not even gonna roll a bluff check, because there's no way she could mask the skepticism from her voice. she's not trying to be contrary, or patronizing, she's just not sure he's able to make fully rational decisions at this point in his life. ] She must want the same thing, then, if you feel confident enough to ask her? [ b/c i talked to your girl for like two seconds and i don't think she sounded quite as convinced... ]

[65]

Maybe ... I mean, she loves me. And I love her. We love each other. Isn't that the next logical step?

[socialgraces]

Not... necessarily. [ she's walking on eggshells here b/c she doesn't want to push him away or hurt his feelings ] I mean, I think a lot more goes into that kind of commitment than just love. You know what I mean, right?

[65]

[he looks a little sulky, like a kid who's been talked out of getting a shiny new toy at the store, but not actually upset. he gets it. even if ... he doesn't want to.] Yes, I know what you mean. I just thought ... it would be nice.

[socialgraces]

It certainly sounds romantic. [ she smiles, because she's definitely a hopeless romantic at heart, and she thinks the idea itself sounds appealing enough. it just doesn't seem like a good idea for him... right now, at least. ] And if that's what you want, [ commitment sure does sound nice to her, especially right now ] at the very least, it gives you something to strive toward.