knightsoflegend | switzerland ♔ the words tightening around my throat

No, we can't. [ it's more for stiles' benefit than anything, so he doesn't get his hopes up, especially as gus makes no move to stop alanna and felicity from going to the elf. he's certain that the only knight in the room that can bring her back, albeit in a different body, is gus himself, which he is also making no move to do even though he does have the spell prepared. ] The clerics at the castle will take care of her when we return.

[ With an apologetic look at Stiles—and a slightly sour look at Gus, for dashing his hopes—Alanna heads after Felicity. She doesn't argue because he's right, of course, but she's a big believer in hope, even if she's not particularly fond of reliance on magic for much.

Resurrection seems to muddle the god's work, yet here she stands. As she slips off with Felicity, she explains, ] I've a spell prepared that can keep her body intact until we return her to the castle. Beyond that is Solace's work. If he can do something for her, she'll need a body to return to.

[Ever since moving through the Veil, Cara has never been wont for the magic of her realm more than she is in this moment. She could have helped, she could have given the breath of life, and saved her. At least tried to save her.

Still, in this moment, she is silent for the fallen soldier, for the knight that she watched serve proudly.]

[ gus goes to sit across from where stiles is standing at his seat and give him some real talk, dark eyes firm and steady. ]

Look, Stiles, I know you want to make sure Nyna is all right, right now, but this isn't the place for it. You don't want her waking up in an unfamiliar place. Resurrections are hard enough for the people coming back and I'm going to be honest with you, not everyone comes back. We don't know what Nyna believes, but she may not believe in being resurrected and if that is the case you need to be prepared for it to not work. We can't do anything more for her right now. What we can do, however, is make sure that whatever evil is here is stopped. She's a paladin, they fight for good and justice to their last breath. Take up that fight in her honor, for her. If she does come back, that will be a gift for her, and if she doesn't... the fact that you fought for her ideals won't be lost. Trust me.

[ he may be a straightforward asshole who doesn't believe in coddling, but he gives a damn fine inspirational speech. (diplomacy 27) he just has a soft spot for paladins and he's seen enough knights die over the past twelve years to be unwilling to give stiles false hope. not everyone comes back. ]

Do you think you can do that for her?

[Felicity nods in acknowledgement, because she assumed that they weren't going to be doing a resurrection in the field, at least.]

Whatever you can do for her until we can get her back to Solace will help.

[She'll then open the door to the room they left her in, with Nyna stretched out gently almost as though she's sleeping. She's still in her paladin's armor and the wound itself is covered by the sleeve Stiles wrapped around her neck to try and save her, even though it was already too late.]

[ Alanna moves to crouch beside Nyna, pulling off her gloves as she does. She hates the cold, and even in April, Switzerland is bitter and frigid, but she's not going to be any good for magic with them on. ]

Assuming Solace has something to help, she'll make the trip. [ Casting gentle repose, Alanna runs one hand over Nyna's face, a faint purple light emanating from her palm and billowing out in a shroud over Nyna. The magic seeps into her skin before Alanna drops her hand and looks back up at Felicity. ] And how are you? [ Loss was never easy. ]

[Loss is never easy, but Felicity's been through so much of it she's gotten good at compartmentalizing. She needs to keep her focus on the mission and not let her thoughts wander towards the guilt and grief it wants to. She appreciates the concern for her, however, and she just nods in return that she's fine.]

I'll be better when this asshole is no longer a problem and I've burned every piece of art he's ever made.

[She usually would lament such a thing, but this is better for everyone in the end.]

[ endrik butts in from the doorway abruptly. ] Yes, the sooner, the better, if we hope to find my friend alive, I think.

[Stiles is quiet as Gus speaks, not saying or doing anything to agree or disagree with what the older Knight is trying to tell him. He just keeps thinking about Andres, about the way he had found Nyna and her sister. Usually, the memory makes him laugh, remembering finding Matt as well- in the most indecent way- but now, he just keeps wondering what sort of hell he had introduced her to.

Would she still be alive, if not for him? It's the only thing he can keep thinking in all of the fog within his mind.

But he doesn't say that, doesn't voice it.]

Yeah. [His voice comes out hoarse, emotion straining the single syllable. He'll take up the fight. He'll trust that they can do their best for her.] Yeah, I think I can.

[Cara lays a hand to Stiles' shoulder, trying to give him that reassurance that he is not alone in this and that she will ensure that Nyna's death was not for nothing.]

We should ensure to bring lighters with us this time. [So they're not trying to look around for something to use to burn the paintings... right?]

[Felicity nods in Endrik's direction, before looking back to Alanna.]

Are you good here?

[ you know what gus has? lighters. always bring a stoner along tbh. he pulls a pair, both of them less than half empty, from his pocket. he holds the green one out for stiles and the blue one for cara. ]

Got it. [ he can make his own fire, so he won't need one. ]

[ Alanna nods and stands, moving with Felicity to follow Endrik out of the room. ]

Can you apprise us of the situation?

[She nods and waits till they're back with Gus so that she doesn't have to repeat herself.]

The bad guy's name is Imron Gauthfellow. From what we can tell, it seems like a straight up revenge scenario. All of the victims were art critics and my guess is that they didn't like his work. Considering that monsters jump out of them and people can get sucked into them, I can't imagine why.

[Sarcasm.]

The creatures seem to be different every time, and burning the paintings before the monsters get out can destroy the creatures inside as well. There were four intended victims, and we were able to rescue three of them. Mr. Archerus says that one of Gauthfellow's servants, Tharivol, also might be in danger.

Basically the plan is get in, find Tharivol and figure out how Gauthfellow is doing what he's doing with the paintings so we can stop him for good.

[And maybe shoot him in the face a few times for killing Nyna. But that's debatable.]

Edited (SORRY just making sure she's clear.) 2015-09-02 12:42 (UTC)

Alright. [ that was a damn fine explanation and gus stands, done with loitering. get in, kick ass, get out. it's a plan. 88% of a plan. ] Let's get going then.

[ endrik scribbles down the address for them, handing it to felicity. as he says, it's not far. ]

[And she will take it and off they go to finish the mission they started. And it is pretty easy to find (navigate 19).]

[ nestled among the homes of lesser aristocracy and well-to-do shops stands a tall, austere home of rigid angles and simple decorations surrounded by a high wall covered in flowering vines. a plaque near the front gate reads, "Imron Gauthfellow, retired."

the manor resembles a small keep, with a ten foot high stone wall topped with short spikes surrounding the property, broken only by a tall gate between stone pillars that allows access to Imron Gauthfallow's property. a gravel path flanked by tall iron fences covered in places by jasmine vines and roses leads to a colonnaded porch, where a thick oak door with decorative iron banding allows entrance into the manor. a spot check of 15+ notices signs partially covered in the vines growing around the bars of the fences. ]

[ gus is like /squints at all this looming iron fencing, but he kills the spot check with a 25. (side note, felicity killed it harder with a 27.)

mellie, ftr, is bringing up the very rear with her slow, trundling pace like yes, hello, i am a bear, i've got your six. her spot check was high, but she's a bear. she can't read. ]

[ the sign says 'beware of dog' :) ]

Oh, great. [ so fucking dryly: ] He has a pet.

[She smirks at that, using her Sweep skill to look out for any sign of their furry friend (sweep 22) or any other dangers that may be lurking around.]

Good thing you brought Mellie for a play date.

[ there is indeed a dog prowling the yard. it's a heavily muscled and ferocious-looking mastiff, wearing a leather collar with the name KILLER engraved in bold letters on a tag hanging from it. he's at least on the yard side of the fence that protects the path heading from the sealed gate they're standing at to the porch ... but if they tried to go around the pathway by scaling the walls, they'd no doubt run afoul of him. ]

[Stiles isn't far behind. He's going to finish the job for Nyna and focus on the mission instead of his overwhelming guilt. He runs a hand through his hair as he watches the dog pace.]

Don't suppose anyone brought any Scooby snacks.

Fresh out.

[She eyes the dog for a moment, before looking at the door.]

And I'm not sure in this case the name is ironic.

[There's a beat.]

Maybe we should just take the direct approach?

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