slovechnia ♔ hey little sister what have you done

[postergirl]

♬ White Wedding - Billy Idol

WHO || Failboat, Dimitris Sarandis, Amanda Moulet, invited wedding guests, and more [closed]
WHAT || The Knights head to Slovechnia to interrupt Dimitris' wedding to Dumage's sister
WHERE || Flight from London to Slovechnia; Slovechnia
WHEN || Sometime in February
HOW || Actionspam or prose

The morning after, the Knights board a plane at their private airfield, and begin the couple hour flight to the country of Slovechnia.  Wynn has laid out a plan for them as such, leaving Sir Gar in charge of seeing it executed:  they are to send in a few Knights to infiltrate the wedding, while others steal an ambulance from a local hospital.  Using magic to make Sarandis think he's having a heart attack during the ceremony, they will intercept the outgoing call to the paramedics, and pose as them to take him out of there and straight to a private airfield to meet with Wynn.  They're all aware, however, of just how smoothly their plans tend to go where these villains are involved - especially if the Mind Master shows up.  

Either way, it promises to be an interesting day...

Comments

[doubletake]

[She frowns, shaking her head.]

You can't think like that. It'll be easier, when we're there, in the middle of everything, to stay in the moment. But you'll drive yourself crazy if you keep thinking of every little thing that could happen.

[She turns in her chair, facing her more fully.]

There's uncertainty everywhere we look, no matter what kind of life we choose to lead, because that's the way things are. Living this way means accepting that it's going to be even messier than it needs to be. [She glances back at the others in the plane briefly.] Everyone here knows what they've signed up for.

[Though her eyes linger on the newbies before she turns back to Buffy. They don't know what it's like to deal with these enemies. Not like they do.]

[slay]

[ Buffy accepts the truth of this quietly, glancing only briefly back at the others on the plane, considering them forlornly but never doubting Elena's assessment. Then, she turns back, and after some silence, digs at the core of the problem. ]

I don't know how to protect you from something like that, from what's coming. I don't know that I even could if I knew where it was coming from, but the worst of it isn't monsters and demons, it's people and lies.

[doubletake]

[Elena's entire body seems to go rigid as the conversation takes a turn that she was not expecting. She seems unsure of what to say to that as she drags a hand through her hair, glancing down at the floor.]

You don't need to protect me from anything. [She finally lifts her head to look at her again.] I'm not sure what you're getting at, anyway.

[slay]

[ The reaction gives her a slight pause, and Buffy tilts her head to scrutinize Elena's expression (sense motive 17). But she shakes her head and thinks better of her consideration, sighing. ]

No. No, of course you don't. You can handle yourself. Except none of us can, not against what we're dealing with.

[doubletake]

[Something about what Buffy said seems to have made her pretty uncomfortable, bordering on defensive, though by the time she starts speaking again, she seems to have collected herself, like she must have misunderstood something.]

No, we can't. That's why we need to only worry about Sarandis today if we can get away with it. We're not ready for anything else. Not yet.

[slay]

None of it waits for us to be ready. It never has. [ She thinks of Jade, who had only just remembered who she really was before this orchestra of nightmares ripped her away. Buffy's quiet for a moment, then she turns her tablet over on the tray in front of her, giving Elena her full attention. She holds Elena's gaze, silent for long enough to make it obvious she's deciding how to say it (diplomacy 44). ] Elena, if there's something you aren't telling us, now's the time. No judgment. No questions about how it happened or why you were holding it back. But you need to say something now.

[doubletake]

No, you're right. It doesn't.

[She'd just rather take things one step at a time.

Buffy's gaze seems heavy in her own, and her eyes drop down to the floor briefly before she lets out a breath, shaking her head before she lets out a small huff of laughter, though it's completely lacking in humor.]

Now is not the time for anything. We need to focus on the mission.

[slay]

There's always going to be a mission, Elena. One more reason to put it off until it never has to come out.

[doubletake]

[Elena pauses for a moment, studying her intently before her head tilts to the side, her expression curious, the answer to what she's about to ask seemingly very important to her (sense motive 46).]

Do you trust me, Buffy?

[slay]

Of course I do.

[ And there's not an ounce of lie to it. She lets that hang in the air for a moment before qualifying it. ]

But I'm worried about you.

[ It's like she can't shake the feeling that something terrible is going to happen, dread pooling in her gut. ]

I know something's wrong. I wish you'd let me help you carry whatever it is.

[doubletake]

Then I need you to listen to me.

[Her gaze is imploring now, wanting to see if she can make her understand, her eyes seemingly holding the weight of something someone her age shouldn't have to.

But she also doesn't seem to be breaking underneath it, either.]

There are things I can't tell you. Not now, maybe not ever, and I need you to believe me when I say that it's better if it stays that way. The best way for you to help me to carry it is to leave it be.

[slay]

Whatever you're hiding, Elena, whatever it is you think you're holding back for our own good, I have a feeling that it's going to go very badly for all of us. Not because I don't trust you, but because of what's involved. Hell was shielding you from our scrying. If there's something you're holding back, there is no better person to tell. [ (diplomacy 45 lmao goddamn nearly rolling max here) ]

[doubletake]

Everything goes badly for us, Buffy. But this has nothing to do with us. This is about me.

[While she certainly seems affected by Buffy's words (will save 39), she still shakes her head, hesitating only briefly before she finally says:]

And it doesn't change the fact that I can't.

[slay]

... What do you mean by can't? [ She lowers her voice, leaning in, softening with concern. ] Can't as in something is stopping you? Like magic, or psionics, or a threat?

[doubletake]

I mean I can't.

[That's...not an answer, but she sure doesn't look like she's going to elaborate.]

[slay]

[ That sounds a lot like equal parts both choice, stubborn belief, and literal inability to Buffy, so she doesn't stop pushing with an intent expression that seems to be trying to reach her from far away (sense motive 24). ]

Can't is different than won't because you believe you shouldn't. So are you telling me you can't, Elena? Or you won't?

[doubletake]

Both.

[Her frustration seems to be growing, as if she realizes that Buffy wouldn't let this go, no matter how much she tried to make her understand, but angered by the futility of it all.]

The things I could tell you will only lead to more questions, and those I can't answer, because then I will be in danger.

[slay]

In danger from who? [ She holds up a hand. ] If you can't say, then let me guess. You don't have to say anything: just nod or shake your head. Is it the Mind Master?

[doubletake]

[Her lips press into a hard line.]

I already told you this isn't about the mission, Buffy.

[slay]

That doesn't mean it isn't about her. [ Coolly, with the resolve of someone who wants to rip the Mind Master's head off, bad dye job and all, for daring to harm her friend: ] You aren't shaking your head.

[doubletake]

[She just pinches the bridge of her nose before she shakes her head 'no' once.]

You need to stop this, Buffy.

[slay]

[ Her jaw tightens, both frustrated and seemingly confused by Elena's new reply. Whatever it is, she pushes through it to firmly rule, ] That's not gonna happen.

[doubletake]

Yes, it is.

[Her voice is firm and, at this point, pissed.]

I had thought you might respect my wishes, but it's pretty clear now that that's not going to happen. You say you're worried about me, but the moment I tell you that pushing is going to hurt me, you do it anyway. You say you trust me, but you don't trust my judgement enough to let it go when I've asked you repeatedly.

[Her eyes flash with both pain and anger.]

I love you, Buffy. I do. So stop this before I say something we'll both regret.

[Intimdate 40]

[slay]

[ Well her will save was not that.

Recoiling at the sudden rebuff, Buffy straightens, startled and uncomfortable with the show of strength in how Elena lashes out. It's unlike what Buffy has seen of her, and she doesn't want to consider what the implications of that are. Slowly, Buffy puts her tray table up and unbuckles, climbing out of her seat with her tablet and purse. ]

Don't worry. I'll find another seat.

[doubletake]

[Elena's eyes flick away at that, her expression cooling into an emotionless mask, seemingly unaffected by Buffy's reaction. When she speaks, her voice is deadpan and icy.]

Thank you.