marseilles ♔ swallowing the pill til i breathed my last

[likedillinger]

We Carry On - Portishead

WHO || Dean, Rose, Gus, Ashley, Elijah [closed]
WHAT || The Knights head to speak with the Carmilla
WHERE || Marseilles, France
WHEN || Mid April 2016
HOW || Actionspam

Last fall, two Knights were killed in action while investigating a group of rogue vampires in Paris - Sir Dragomir and Sir Rast. While the vampires were brought under control, the mystery of who exactly killed the Knights remains up in the air, and to that end, Wynn has decided to establish contact with an ancient vampire known as Carmilla, leader of a vampiric coven of Elders who dictate the rules by which most nearby covens live in order to maintain their existence without bringing humankind down on their heads.

Also of interest to the assigned Knights is the strange abrupt departure of Sir Helen Magnus, who stayed behind in Paris and sent an unusual letter to her daughter Ashley that refused to explain what she was doing, but left the woman more concerned than ever.

Wynn has made arrangements with the coven, who have reluctantly agreed to meet with the Knights, and so a few days after their briefing, Dean pulls their rented vehicle up to the gates of the creepy manor where the Elders have at least agreed to rendezvous. While the grounds are well kept, there's an air of emptiness to the whole place.

Comments

[druidisms]

[ gus has been to marseilles before, on his and malina's ill advised ten year anniversary when they decided to visit during easter when everything was closed or busy. but they got chocolate roosters and spent the weekend on french beaches, ogling the same guys probably, so really it was a win.

also i hope they're in a truck because there's a bear in the back. gus glances up idly, looking around (spot 24). ]

[littledhampir]

[Rose shifts uncomfortably in her seat as they come to a stop, leaning forward to take in the sight of the building with little more than a tightening of her features. Like Gus, looking around for any signs of movement or sounds from beyond. (Spot 32/Listen 38).

With a brief glance in Dean's direction, she turns to address Elijah.]

The idea is to let you do most of the talking obviously, but I'll be there with you if they have any questions about what happened in Paris that you might not be able to answer. You should be the one to lead us in so they have a sense of you being in charge.

[Looking around at everyone now.] Any questions before we go in?

[bagsthem]

[Ashley looks super focused on what's ahead of them, giving a stiff shake of her head.]

None here.

[likedillinger]

[ dean looks elijah over uncertainly like he's not sure about putting this guy in the lead, but w/e ] You know what you're planning on askin'?

[ofmyword]

[Having been focused on keeping an eye on what's ahead, (spot 32/listen 33) Elijah nods at Rose's explanation, looking to Dean when he speaks up.]

I intend to find out how honorable they truly are. If they're lying about how closely they live by their code, they're likely lying about everything else. [He wets his lips bc almost compulsive tic at this point.] I don't doubt they'll want something in exchange for allowing us an audience, let alone any answers they might provide.

[littledhampir]

[If the slight widening of Rose's eyes is anything to go by? She hadn't considered the possibility of them wanting something in return, Rose all the more grateful that Wynn had assigned Elijah as their diplomat.]

Okay... good. [Bobbing her head.] All we need from them? Is somewhere to start looking for who killed Max and Lissa. The one who did this? I doubt it's the first time and he's probably gotten away with it because he could blame the killings on groups of younger Vamps. He wouldn't have been counting on me seeing what happened.

Whether they're all talk or not? They still shouldn't be on board with somebody undermining their rule. Hopefully that will be enough to get them to help.

[And then finally to everyone.]

Wynn doesn't want to start a war with the Vampires of France so we get in, get out and we keep our cool. [And with that, she's going to move to get out of the car.]

[likedillinger]

[ elijah can make out movement behind the windows of the place, dispelling any notion that it might be truly abandoned quite readily. he also hears a faint electronic buzzing, noting a few well disguised cameras on the exterior. ] And if they don't give a shit?

We gotta admit, it's a possibility.

[bagsthem]

I'd hope they wouldn't bother agreeing to this meeting in the first place if they don't care at all.

[She worries about the same situation, though.]

[littledhampir]

Then we'll consider our options.

[She's not making a call for War but from the hard look on her face as she glances at Dean? She's not ruling anything out at this point.]

Let's move.

Helen | ota

[daredtobelieve]

[Helen is fairly quiet as they make their way to the hotel, but completely approachable by anyone who wants to yell at her talk and whatnot. Laziest start is very lazy because I'm on a train and don't know who wants to approach her when and where. Come at me bros.]

[bagsthem]

[It isn't until probably much later that Ashley finally says something to her mother. Maybe she was waiting to be approached first or maybe she was just waiting until she actually somewhat had her shit together.

Finally, though, when they're moderately alone, she finally speaks, her words terse.]

You missed a lot.

[daredtobelieve]

[Helen had slipped Ashley an extra key to her room in the hotel they were staying at for the night. An open invitation to come and find her whenever she wished. She didn't want to push the issue too much. What right did she have?

So when Ashley did slip into her room, giving them privacy to speak freely, there was a relief that washed over her, even if she had no idea just how this conversation might go.]

I know. [There's something of an apology in those words already. She hesitates from saying more, not sure just what she could possibly say to her daughter after everything.]

[bagsthem]

[That was telling right there, the fact that they weren't even considering staying the same room together.]

Do you? [Her tone indicates she's not sure she believes that.] Why don't you tell me, then. I wouldn't want to bore you with anything repetitive.

[Being calm is hard.]

[daredtobelieve]

[She shakes her head, glancing down briefly.]

That isn't what I meant. I don't know exactly what's happened, but I'm sure there's plenty that I've missed. I... Ashley, I'm sorry. I wish I could explain to you-- [Emotion cuts her off before she can finish that thought.]

[bagsthem]

The castle was attacked. [Her voice is deadpan.] People died, including Rose.

[She pauses a minute to look at her, expression practically frozen.]

That's what you missed.

[daredtobelieve]

[It's a one-two punch, and it physically knocks Helen back a few steps. She grows pale, mouth hanging open for a moment as she struggles to find a single word.]

...what?

[bagsthem]

That dictator from Andres, Sarandis. He attacked the castle with a bunch of giant tech and physical and magical muscle. Rose was inside a giant tank that blew up outside. I nearly got crushed by a falling robot that was big enough to destroy the lobby and most of one side of the castle in the process. It happened months ago and the place is finally starting to look almost normal again.

[She looks out the window instead of at her mother as she wring her hands.]

But you didn't bother to give me a return address, so I couldn't exactly tell you sooner, could I?

[daredtobelieve]

I couldn't. [She says, her voice starting to falter.] I knew if you asked me to come back, I wouldn't be able to say no. And some part of me needed this, needed to step away. I can't explain it and I won't make excuses for myself. What I did was entirely selfish.

[druidisms]

[ gus strolls into her room with ease, ostensibly to collect his bear, but not really. especially since the first thing he says is, ]

You trollop. [ it's hard to tell if he gives a fuck though because he seems like his give a fuck button is firmly broken. ]

[daredtobelieve]

[Helen purchased some Mellie friendly snacks at some point along the way. The bear is quite content- especially when Gus returns and she can see both Gus and Helen at the same time. If only Malina was here to have all of the most important people in one place at one time.]

The least of which I'll be called before all this has passed, I imagine.

[druidisms]

Malina's not going to call you a slut.

[ mellie trundles over to push her nose against his palm, huffing softly. ]

She is gonna be pissed though and she's been keeping her temper in check for months now, it's not going to last.

[daredtobelieve]

I've earned every ounce of ire. I won't shy from it.

[But she sure isn't looking forward to it.]

[druidisms]

You left children and squires to bring home Max's body. [ and there is gus' personal ire. wtf, helen. ]

[daredtobelieve]

I'm not proud of it. I won't make excuses for myself. My actions were entirely selfish, and you can rest assured it won't happen again.

[druidisms]

The problem, Helen, is that we can't rest assured because no one can trust you anymore. It's not that you went out sowing your wild oats, fuck it, live your life, I don't give a shit. But you decided that in 2016 you couldn't pick up a phone or write an e-mail -- because you knew what you were doing was fucking bullshit.

I run away, Helen, I know. But I don't hide from it like a fucking coward.