london ♔ put me on a ship that is sinking

[wynn]

if rain is what you want - slipknot

WHO || The Knights.
WHAT || I'm sure it's nothing.
WHERE || Knights castle 
WHEN || April 18,2016
HOW || Actionspam

It's been a week since Sir Jeanne Gar was abducted by agents of the Church of the Lord's Humanity, despite the Knights' efforts to thwart the attempt.  Several of the younger Knights learned a harsh lesson as they watched the Mind Master shake even the seasoned Sir Hasmed, and turn some of their number on each other.   While Wynn has announced that they are determined to find a way to save Gar, it''s certainly obvious why he's hesitant to send agents out, after what the Mind Master alone has done to several Knights, including Finnick Odair, who may never be the same.  

A dark cloud hangs over the Knighthood, either way, dampening any enthusiasm won from their victory in finally taking down Dimitris Sarandis and two other notable members of the Shadow-hating Church led by Draken Crombe.

The sun is still up in the late evening, on this day, but there's a heaviness in the air.  

Comments

[graveflowers]

[ there is a very valid fear in vi's eyes, some of the grass around them fading to brown in response to her emotions -- of which she is having approximately thirty seven, chief among them a terror that's making her hands shake. she can't even reach for her bow for fear that the mind master will just turn it around on all them again, this time including her daughter and niece.

her jaw tightens, teeth grinding against each other before she answers with a surprising calm. ]

Pardon our frankly reasonable caution. All things considered.

[ her eyes flicker to the mind master. ALSO FUCK YOU. ]

[witchwoman]

[Myri wants to attack, wants to try to kill the Mind Master before she can hurt anyone else, but she can't risk the children.]

What do you want, then?

1/2

[mindmaster]

[ everything must change - olafur arnalds

the mind master looks amused by not only vi's sentiment, but by myri's question as well, her eyes slowly tracing back across the ground and up to draken, both eyebrows climbing this time. she, however, says nothing. ]

[extremist]

I believe I have something of Wynn's that he's interested in seeing returned in one piece.

[ he twists the head of the cane in place, lifting it off the ground and into his grip ] There are certainly more civil ways to go about all this than Dimitris' short-sighted and reckless venture for revenge.

[ with that, he turns more fully to consider them, green-gray eyes studying them each in kind, his lip involuntarily curling slightly as he takes in solas, not to mention the ... orange baby over there. ] ... We've come to speak with Wynnefalshond.

This is a parley.

[allmydreams]

[Felicity has no stake in this conversation, as Myri and Vi have been dealing with the Mind Master and Crombe longer than she has and she's about to convey Wynn's request when the twosome engage them instead. Felicity studies them as they speak, but they seem to be on the level - or as on the level as bad guys can be (sense motive nat 20, 24 total), but she's just going to ... keep texting Wynn updates all the same behind Vi's back (sleight of hand 28).]

They engaged us. Say they're here to parley - seem honest for now.

[bythedreadwolf]

[ Solas remains silent through the exchange, preferring to observe instead. Although the disdainful look he gets from the man merely gets a raised eyebrow in response as the elf gives him a once-over in return, looking distinctly unimpressed. Was he meant to take insult from your opinion, human?

When the man's gaze redirects to one of the babies however, he shifts slightly behind the two women, standing at the ready to cast whatever protections he can muster on the children, should it become necessary.

He hopes, however Felicity has found to contact Wynn, that the man is on his way before this starts escalating further. ]

[graveflowers]

[ you absolute piece of trash.

at the moment most of her will power is going to not actively panicking at seeing the mind master again so she is not nearly as perceptive as felicity, as such she immediately assumes it's all complete bullshit. as much faith as she has that wynn can take down crombe in a heartbeat, it's tempered by knowing that what they want to trade isn't just a belonging of wynn's that he forgot at their place after netflix and chill.

it's gar.

who they kidnapped and who wynn couldn't get back, however unfair it is to place that fault on him. she's not sure how they've decided they have the right to swan in here after that and propose some bullshit pirates of the caribbean parley. ]

You can dispose of any weapons right here, then. [ she means the mind master, but she nods to his cane. she's seen lord of the rings, okay. she trusts literally nothing right now. ] If you need help inside without it, I'll be more than happy to escort you.

[ jk the thought of it makes her skin crawl but priorities. ]

[witchwoman]

[The idea of letting either of these people step inside their home seems so wrong to Myri. She wants to wait to hear from Wynn, to know what he would prefer them to do. But she's not about to contradict Vi, not about to make them appear weak or divided. Try as she might to watch the both of these intruders, she finds herself too focused on the Mind Master to pay attention to much else.

The woman who ripped her husband away from here is within reach. Never before have darker thoughts run through Myrilandel's mind.

But she can't act on them. Not when Gar's life hangs in the balance.

So instead, she closes her eyes briefly and holds her daughter closer, silently praying that the Stargods will continue to watch over them.]

1/2

[mindmaster]

[ the twisted smile that creeps up the mind master's cheek as she fixes her eyes on myri makes one thing very clear - she can read every thought racing through her mind right now, and she's deriving a sick pleasure from all of them. ]

[extremist]

In moments, we'll be surrounded by Knights. You'll forgive me for not relying on Wynn's sense of ... honor. [ the word is packed with skeptical disdain, his gaze drifting to the dragon statues that flank the steps, a quiet hmph escaping him, before he continues up the steps towards the doors. ] Come. [ the word is directed to the mind master, who slowly drags her eyes away from them all, and slips into step behind him. ]

[allmydreams]

[And we're supposed to rely on yours? Is the first thought to flash through Felicity's mind but she's not looking to pick a fight with either of them, especially not with Lucia in her arms. She leans in to whisper to Vi, but loud enough that the rest of the group can hear her, but hopefully not the two bad guys.]

They're not lying about being here just to talk. Wynn knows they're coming and why and Buffy is probably arming herself to the teeth as we speak. It'll be okay.

[To which a secondary thought occurs to her and it's back to her phone again to send another text off to Buffy:]

They say they're just here to talk to Wynn, and they're not lying for now. They're going to pass by the front desk. Wynn knows they're coming but just in case.

[Hopefully she will get that before things get crazy.]

[bythedreadwolf]

We've stalled them long enough for those inside to start preparing. [ Solas murmurs, reading between the lines of what Felicity says. If what he suspects of Wynn is true, that should be enough for them. ]

We could interfere now, but there are the children to consider. Perhaps we should see to their safety before we join in any excitement with our unexpected visitors? Is there another entrance we might use?

[ Even though he's tempted to follow the two figures heading for the door to keep watch, he remains where he is, staying with the three women until a decision is reached. Although he sincerely wished he knew where Ashelia was at the moment. ]

[witchwoman]

I can take the children somewhere safe in a moment's notice if need be. [Dimension door is another staple for her now. Quick exits and entrances are just a necessity for their lives. Myri looks to Vi for confirmation of this potential plan.]

Say the word, and I'm gone. [She doesn't want to leave, of course, but she won't put the girls in danger.]

[graveflowers]

[ felicity's words don't do much to sooth her, but at least she warns buffy. she nods idly at myri, thinking. ]

We'll take the girls to the Dragon's... Light. [ easy fall back, the place they're the most comfortable with places already set up to hold them. taking lucia from felicity's arms, she kisses the top of her head as she nestles her daughter in her arms. yeah, she's going with, duh. she focuses on felicity and solas as she reaches out to squeeze myri's hand. ] We'll meet you in the lobby.

Do not interfere. Do not do anything. Just watch and listen and keep yourselves safe, but don't even think about interfering. She can kill you without lifting a finger and turn everything you throw at her right back at you, so don't throw anything. [ she let's that sit a second. ] I mean it. Nothing. No thing. Zero thing.

[mindmaster]

[ draken gestures to the door with his cane, and the mind master raises a hand, sending both doors thrusting open before them. ashelia and hawke would get to see the two unfamiliar figures entering - the tall, blonde woman dressed in tight black, with the unnerving stare and unusual features, and the dark haired man in official looking vestments, who enters before her. ]

[allmydreams]

[Felicity nods her agreement as Vi takes Lucia from her.]

Zero things thrown. I've got it.

[She then gives Vi's hand a squeeze before glancing back to Solas as she moves to follow behind the twosome (move silently 22).]

C'mon.

[witchwoman]

[Once Vi has Lucia in her arms, she places a hand on the woman's shoulder and casts one last wary glance to the Mind Master before she uses dimension door to move them to the Light wing.]

[twistingveil]

[Ashelia looks up immediately upon hearing the doors fling open, interrupting the pleasant conversation she'd been having with Hawke-- she reaches for the guestbook in front of her on instinct, having been directed to sit at the desk and take note of anyone who happened to come by, but she freezes as she realizes the dramatic entrance probably isn't just a coincidence.

She forces herself to remain calm, casting a sidelong glance towards Hawke before turning her attention to the two figures as they enter. While she doesn't recognize either of them, having only even heard of the Mind Master by name, she's not unaware of the fact that the Knights face countless threats.]

Excuse me. [Her voice is low, even, and the following question somehow manages to be both polite and subtly tongue-in-cheek (Diplomacy 22).] Did you have an appointment?

[hawkeing]

[ hawke has been leaning against the desk for the last few minutes, but the second the doors slam open -- really, it says something for the structure of the place that nothing broke -- she straightens. probably a good thing that sebastian is napping in her room, all said. hawke barely glances at ashelia, her attention focused on the two. ]

Why do I get the feeling this isn't a social call?

[ it's said mostly quietly, but not hidden, though she lets ashelia be the diplomatic one. hawke isn't exactly known for diplomacy as much as her biting wit and sarcastic humor. ]

[extremist]

[ draken looks between the two of them, lingering on ashelia's features long enough to decide to address hawke instead. ] Draken Crombe.

We will wait here, to speak with Wynnefalshond.

[bythedreadwolf]

[ Solas waits until Vi and Myri have moved - Fadestepped, perhaps? he will have to ask later - to a safe distance before smoothly moving to fall into step with Felicity, approaching the front entrance to the castle with her.

Of course, his perfect calm lasts until he spots just who is seated behind the front desk to greet their guests and tension creeps subtly back into his stance as his steps hasten in pace, gaze narrowed on Ashelia as he stifles a soft curse.

While he is tempted to go to her, he resists the instinct, pausing instead in the doorway behind their unwelcome visitors, settling against the frame with arms crossed over his chest. He remains silent, watchful and wary, observing the pair with a cautious alertness. ]

[twistingveil]

[Ashelia tenses further when she sees both Solas and Felicity appear behind their supposed visitors, Solas' own body language reason confirmation that she should remain on the alert. She sets her jaw, irate that the unfamiliar man seems to have deliberately overlooked her in favor of Hawke-- rude.

She clears her throat softly, reaching for the pen beside the guestbook, as if to emphasize that she's the one working the desk-- she doesn't know who he is, but she's dealt with more than enough racism in her day to know what the look Crombe had given her meant.]

If he's expecting you, then I'm sure he'll be along shortly. [Her gaze darts towards both Solas and Felicity, seeking some sort of silent confirmation. She remains as collected as possible, lifting her pen slightly.] Name?

[She's pretty sure humans hate red tape.]

[allmydreams]

[Felicity picks up on that curse (listen 29) and she glances between him and Ashelia it doesn't take much to figure out what's going on and she immediately flashes Solas a look that's something akin to "if you look like you're going to do something dumb, I will punch you in the dick."

More or less (intimidate 20 total).

After that, she steps quietly to the side to lean against the wall next to him, keeping an eye out for Buffy to try and cut her off before she runs in guns blazing (spot 18).]

[hawkeing]

[ hawke folds her arms over her chest, her eyes narrowing at the way this man deigns to ignore ashelia and talk to hawke like it's some kind of choice. like favorites. racist favorites.

maker's breath does hawke know all about racism and discrimination. mages. elves. dalish elves. blood mages. and maker's breath does she hate it all.

hawke's chin lifts ever so slightly in defiance. she's never really been one to think through her words, just letting fly with whatever comes to mind. right now, the only thing on her mind is that this man just insulted one of her friends. that doesn't rest.

she's also officially naming this guy crumb. and the woman is meredith the second until she finds a name to twist into a nickname the way varric would. they could really use varric here right about now. ]

I don't think he heard you. [ spoken to crumb rather than ashelia. ] And I also don't think you know how things work here. My friend here is on duty. You want something, you talk to her.

[ hawke's got your back, ashe. ]

[extremist]

I require nothing from her, but at least she seems well trained to know her place. [ clearly, secretary is low on the list ]