nyc ♔ the devil has my ear today

[dragonsclaw]

♬ Broken Glass - The Blank Theory

WHO || Failboat and more... [closed]
WHAT || The Knights move on a warehouse in NYC to try and save Jeanne Gar & Rafael Giovanni
WHERE || New York City, New York
WHEN || Summer 2016
HOW || Actionspam or prose

The plan has been set, and the Knights are on their way to New York City once again - this time with the desperate hope fueling them that they can save two of their own, instead of simply endangering them further.  Jack and Buffy have greater stakes in this than anyone - as it is Jack's fiancee, Gar and the love of Buffy's life, Rafael, who are currently in the grip of the vile villains that have plagued them for the last four years.  Knowing fully well the risks that are inherent in potentially facing down the dangerous Mind Master, who shattered Myri's life in an instant by breaking Finnick Odair's psyche, their plan is to divide and search the warehouse as quickly as possible - knowing that every second counts, when an alerted team of bad guys could take the lives of their captured friends.  

It's an unparalleled gamble, but may be their only opportunity before Rafael and/or Gar are moved from the facility.  To that end, they converge at a nearby hotel...

Comments

[bigbad]

[He squints up at her, blinking himself awake.]

...a book?

[postergirl]

Trying to distract yourself from the inevitable, darling?

[bigbad]

And what's so inevitable this time around?

[He stretches, sliding up in his seat.]

[postergirl]

One of ours not coming out of this all there - whether physically or otherwise.

[bigbad]

I wouldn't call that inevitable. Likely, perhaps, but not inevitable. We are pretty bloody tough.

[postergirl]

Physically, maybe some of us. Mentally? [ she glances around ] Well. I wouldn't call us the most stable bunch all round.

[bigbad]

[He musters up a smirk, tilting his head to the side.] Look on the bright side, love. Not having much there means there's not much to lose.

[....that's... bright... right?]

[postergirl]

[ her eyes skid back over towards his face, lingering there for just a moment too long ] There's always something to lose.

[bigbad]

[He meets her eyes, then glances away.]

Suppose you're right. We can try and minimize the damage, at least.

[postergirl]

You won't do anything too foolish, I hope.

[bigbad]

Me? Do something foolish? When has that ever happened?

[postergirl]

This isn't funny. [ and her expression seems to say as much too, as she fixes him with an intense gaze, studying him for a moment, pressing her lips together ] And I say that as someone who knows all too well about using humor as a defense mechanism.

[bigbad]

[That actually gets him to look up because wow just calling him out hard right there.

He actually gives it a moment before he answers, more seriously:]

...I can't promise I won't do anything stupid. If someone I care about's in danger, I... well. Rather you all make it out than I do.

But I will be careful. I have no intention of dying any time soon.

[postergirl]

And do you really think that no one cares about you enough to not want to see that happen? [ the words seem to rush out, a hint of her usual annoyance in them tempered by something else for a moment, a frustration tied to some sort of actual vulnerability for half a second ]

[bigbad]

[The admission startles him enough that he raises his eyebrows, mouth slipping open around words he doesn't quite say.

He's spent a lot of time being mad at Dumage, or if not mad than at least hurt. He convinced himself that if she really cared, she'd have never betrayed them, even in the name of helping them. He doesn't... know what to do with her being vulnerable at him. Admitting she cares.

Something inside him unsnarls.]

...I'm not always sure.

[He's always seen himself as expendable. Fist and fang and durable enough to protect others, but not particularly important in his own right. Fighting is what he does. What he's good at. And sure, people are fond of him, but... they've got a mission. And when it comes down to it, he's already dead.]

[postergirl]

[ honest - the neighbourhood ]

I know you're not that thick. [ she's probably the only person in the world who could somehow make that sound like an honest compliment, but she manages. it's her own layer of defensiveness rising to the surface, as if she's uncomfortable with the moment of honest emotion between them. she doesn't look away, however, fixing him with a serious gaze as she leans a bit closer, dropping her voice further ] Don't put so little value on your own second chance at life that you'd throw it away for anyone. Not everyone gets that much.

[bigbad]

[His tongue flicks out over his lips as he meets her gaze, leaning in to meet her.]

I didn't say everyone. Just... [He hesitates for a half beat. His voice is soft, filled with emotions he's working just as hard to keep in check.] People I care about.

[postergirl]

[ for a split second, she doesn't say anything, her eyes tracing his face, weighing that statement. but finally she says: ] Well. It's wise to keep that list very short then, if it's so potentially fatal.

[bigbad]

[He quirks an eyebrow.] Do I really strike you as wise when it comes to caring for people?

[postergirl]

[ her gaze settles back on his, shoulders drooping ever so slightly as she exhales a breath of bitter humor ] Not particularly, no.

But I suppose I should be grateful for that, too.

[bigbad]

Yeah, probably. [He gives her a slim smirk.] All things considered.

[postergirl]

Too bad I was never good at saying 'thank you'.

[bigbad]

For the best, really. I'd probably just end up saying something humorous to deflect and ruin the moment.

[postergirl]

What an impasse.

[bigbad]

Truly impossible. [He glances up at her, expression softening a little.] You take care of yourself too, all right? I know you're less likely to toss yourself fangs first into danger than I am, but....