flight ♔ pride can stand a thousand trials

[dragonsclaw]

I'm Kissing You - Des'ree

WHO || Failboat [closed]
WHAT || The Knights return in the wake of the Keijen Blade concert, much worse for the wear
WHERE ||On a plane
WHEN || Directly after the concert
HOW || Actionspam or prose

The mood is darker than it's ever been as the Knights' plane takes off from the blackening skies above Los Angeles, which continue to spread out after them.  They expected a trap, they expected the worst, but what actually happened dwarfed even those dire expectations.

Painful revelations about their teammates themselves, followed by the separation of Vi from the team, and then being forced to watch Blade enact a dark ritual in the concert-hall-turned-dark-temple that culminated in the sacrifice of hundreds, including the deaths of those who had been on the mission back-up team were only the beginning.  Realizing at the last moment that Crombe still had no understanding of what Blade was truly doing, the team made a last minute bid to change his mind and get him to stop the ritual, but it was far too late, and as things escalated quickly, the Nightmare God Malaak'a was freed from his prison, the seal broken with the final step - Nadia's death.  The god himself appeared before them, and Blade stood triumphantly behind him - only to use the dagger soaked in Nadia's blood to plunge into his father, and usurp his power for his own, ascending to some sort of deity-like powers himself.  

This scene lies further and further behind them now, the images forever etched in their minds, and the silent forms of two of their teammates - one mysteriously incapacitated, the other dead, act as haunting reminders on their journey back towards the castle of what has befallen and what may be to come.

Comments

Alainn open post

[attollores]

[Alainn is sitting next to Mark for the flight back to the castle, and though she looks unscathed, the exhaustion on her face is blatantly clear. Having endured the damage from Buffy's beating of the Mind Master-by-proxy and having literally only 3 hit points left because of that, has her trying to conserve her strength when she can. Fede is present on her knee, her head is on Mark's shoulder, and her gaze is focused out the window. She doesn't know anything about what happened, or what was revealed on the Knights flight to California, but there are enough rumors and seething looks flying back and forth on the plane that she gets the gist it was something on the scale of very bad things. When she has enough energy she'll get up and visit with people, but feel free to drop by and chat in the meantime.]

[littledhampir]

[There weren't many people that Rose would go out of her way to come see on this flight, too strained by the events of the day to manage much in the way of conversation. Alainn wasn't just anyone, though, so it shouldn't be a shock that Rose comes to find her at some point.]

Given the number of times we get the crap beaten out of ourselves, you'd think I'd be able to find something better but...

[There likely was something better, but when you were blessed with Dhampir healing? You more concerned with where the alcohol was kept.

Handing Alainn a Cure Light Wounds Potion;]

Might help a bit, till we get back to London.

[attollores]

[she perks up immediately at Rose's voice, the smile on her face immediate and wide. It only lasts a second before her face falls, tears springing unbidden and unshed to her eyes as she gets up to give Rose the biggest hug she can manage.

After a few long moments and some whispered apologies, Alainn finally let's her go enough to gratefully take the potion, her free hand coming up to swipe quickly at her damp eyes.]

Thank you, love. I... [she swallows, glancing about the plane as a blush dusts her cheeks.] I'm sorry for... For being such a dunce today. And for... Not being as available to you as I've wanted to be.

[littledhampir]

[Emotion slams into her in a brief hot flash, the first real and raw thing she'd allowed herself to feel all day. Much like a bulb about to burn out, it burns hot and bright then is gone a moment later. After all they'd been through, all she'd been dealing with for months on end? Rose had lost the ability to feel much of anything right now.

Still, there is warmth and comfort in that hug, in the physical presence of somebody she knew she could trust and she clings to Alainn a little tighter and longer than she would have anyone else. At least until the apologies begin.

Pulling back enough to look at her, Rose is quick to shake her head. Dismissing the absurdity of the idea that she had reason to be sorry at all.]

You were not a dunce. [Not that Rose fully understood what had happened to Alainn, but after talking with Faith about the Castle attack? She had her suspicions.] And you've done more than enough for me.

[Rose meeting her gaze with a significant raise of her brow.]

[attollores]

[She gives Rose a significant look of her own, squeezing her arm once more before unstoppering the bottle and downing the contents giving her 8 hp back. A look of relief comes over her face as the spell takes effect and she sighs, giving Rose another grateful hug.]

I dunno who or what it was that tried turning my insides to mush, but they very nearly succeeded. I'd like to repay them the favor in the future. [Fede takes this opportunity to flutter to Rose's shoulder, making soft chittering sounds as she begins to preen Rose's hair by way of thanks for the potion.]

Once this all is sorted out back at the castle, I think the two of us should have a nice long chat about whatever the hell it is that's going on. I feel as though Mark and I have missed out on a few crucial points of information that may be relevant to the current mood of everyone here, and I for one do not want to be kept in the dark much longer.

[Her tone is soft, meant only for her friend's ears, and it's more curious than anything else. She understands that something quite significant happened while they were on the flight to L.A. but she is also smart enough to appreciate the tension in the air and realize some things were better left to be said in more private quarters.]

[littledhampir]

I think you have the Mind Master to thank for that one. [Her expression grim.

It was all well and good for everyone to agree that Rose and Buffy were the best choices to physically fight the Mind Master, but that was easier said than done when everyone else seemed to get hurt by any attempts.

A shiver winds down her spine at the affectionate tug on her hair, a small smile touching her lips as Rose watches Fede in her periphery but Alainn's unfortunate choice of words, sees the Dhampir grow pale and any traces of amusement are wiped away in an instant.

Giving a curt nod of agreement.]

When we're safely back at the Castle. [Something in her tone and eyes suggesting that perhaps their safety isn't guaranteed on this plane.] I owe you both a conversation.

[attollores]

[She watches the brief flash of amusement on Rose's face at Fede's antics fall away far too quickly at her words and she swallows the painful lump that rises, hand reaching out to squeeze Rose's. She tries to convey with just her eyes the trust and gratefulness she has for her friend, nodding briefly in agreement.]

Back at the castle.

[a wry, unamused smile crosses her lips for a moment.] And then we'll need to come up with a way to deal with the Mind Master. Together.

[littledhampir]

[The breath Rose hadn't known she was holding in, escapes with a shuddering sigh as she holds Alainn's gaze (S.M 30). Her hand squeezes her friend's as if needing that reminder that Alainn was very much here, that while Wynn wasn't around right now, she (and Dean) weren't completely alone.]

For a start. [Because there was a lot they needed to try to figure out but she was sure if she started listing them, everyone on this flight would feel as hopeless as she was trying her best not to feel.]

You and Mark? Can you... stick around for a little while?

[attollores]

[The question takes her back and she blinks, giving a stuttering nod a moment later. It's not the question that gave her pause, it was the hidden implication behind it that she read. Perhaps it was her own guilt over having been so removed from her friend who, as she was just seeming to realize Wis 17 had needed her support on this long and terrible journey she had been walking with Dean as her only support, and perhaps it hadn't been what Rose had meant, but it was how she was interpreting it.]

Of course, love. As long as ye need us, we'll be here.

[There would be time enough later for her to unpack her emotional baggage and sort through it at her leisure. Right now her friend needed her.]

[65]

[finnick feels like he should say something to alainn, because she's so nice and treated him like normal and also she almost died wtf. :'( so he pauses by her seat once he takes a break from anxiously hovering over myri.]

It's good to have you around again, although I do wish it were under better circumstances.

I have been blessed!

[attollores]

[his voice startles her, partly because she hadn't seen him leave the back and Myri, and partly because it had been so long the airport and concert didn't count since she'd heard it. She hesitates for just a moment before giving him a much gentler, much shorter though no less loving of a hug than the airport, giving him his space once more. ]

Aye, and the same to you, love. It's been far too long. And now... Now all of this. [she wants to say more, the apology is there on the tip of her tongue, but it's too little too late, and all an apology will do is hurt who it was meant to soothe. She shakes her head, that old fire coming back to her as she meets his eyes once more.] And we're gonna kill them for what they've done.

[her statement is flat, matter-of-fact, but laced with conviction.]

[65]

[he doesn't know exactly what to say — or how much he should say. he sort of figures everyone knows why he was gone — the mental breakdown after the grammy's — and that wynn would have filled in anything else that was need to know. he hasn't actually thought that much about it, putting more thought into remembering all the nuances of this reality and his role in it. differentiating what's real and what isn't.]

There was a time when I wouldn't want death or violence as the answer. When it would seem too easy. [the trigger-happy nature of some of his teammates was bad enough. he came from a world that was rough and quick to violence, and he didn't want to be like that. but thinking of everything he just saw, thinking of myri and his daughter ... ] But in this situation, I think it's deserved.

[attollores]

[it's normally not her first course of action either, killing. Though she has a temper and can be quick to anger, death was never something she took lightly, and the thought of killing an enemy was never the first course of action that came to mind. But this time, after everything they had been through, all the lives that the Mind Master had ruined and claimed... the more permanent solution seemed to be the only one left.

Whereas Crombe was now at least in their custody, and sense had finally seemed to make its way to him before he went cuckoo for cocoa puffs, the Mind Master wasn't one who could possibly be reasoned with. Crombe had been horrified at what Keijen was doing, and though it was too little too late, at least there was comfort in the fact that they were able to get through to him even if just a bit.

The Mind Master needed to die. There was no getting through to her, no talking sense or reason, or hoping to find compassion within her.

She had none and as such, deserved none.]

Aye, as much as I hate to say it, it's the awful truth. Crombe, at least for a moment, seemed able to be reasoned with, but she is something altogether different. And if what Dean and Rose say is true... Well, we've got a lot of preparation to do.

[65]

[he doesn't want to talk at great lengths with anyone about the mind master — like maybe just thinking too much about her would summon her and she'd fuck up his life some more. their brief little interaction in the box was more than enough for the rest of his life thanks.

but he nods. he had already considered crombe when talking with rose — he could have become a valuable ally, but the way he was now?? worthless.]

You're right. But, I've been wondering ... how much can people like me do? People like Dumage, or Gar, or Mark. People without magic, or special abilities, or allegiances with demons. [/THROWS THAT SHADE.] Do we even have a place in this fight?

[attollores]

[She worries her lower lip between her teeth, thinking on his question a moment before answering.

Sure, she had magic, but could that be effective against what Blade had become?]

That's not something I can answer for you, love. All I can say is it comes down to what you're willing to give. [and he had already given so, so much. More than any one person should have to give. But here he was again, back with them after everything he and Myri had been through.]

And magic, abilities beyond the norm, and demonic allegiances aside, no one is ever without a place in a fight to save the world, to save those we hold most dear. If being a Knight these years past has taught me anything, it is that no matter what skills you do and do not have, there is always more to you than you know. You are far more capable of saving what needs to be saved because of your experiences so far in this world, and the lessons you've learned from those experiences.

It may come down to something only you, or Gar, or Mark can do in order to tip the scales in our favor, or it may not. But I believe in you. I believe in all of you, and that we are all here, now, and involved in this for a reason.

[65]

[he smiles a little, but it doesn't quite reach his eyes. he hears alainn's words, and values them, but reconciling them with everything they'd just experienced ... it was hard to believe that there was anything he could really do to tip those scales.]

Thank you. I hope you're right.

[as little faith as he has, some part of him still wants to believe that she could be. or else he'd just go back to the basement after they were off the plane lbr.]

[attollores]

[She gives him another hug, the only thing else she can think of to offer any kind of comfort where she knew words could only do so much.]

I hope so as well, love. [It's said softly, her voice laced with understanding as she lets him go and turns to take her seat again, allowing him to go back to Myri.]

[nosdacariad]

I'm not the only one picking up on the incredibly tense vibe around here, am I? I mean... apocalyptic scenario not withstanding.

[attollores]

[She lifts her head from his shoulder, giving a small shake to the negative.]

Nay, you aren't the only one, love. [Her voice is soft, but she knows it's not going to make much difference with all the super-sonic hearing on the plane. Still, better safe than sorry.]

Rose has already agreed to fill us in once we get back to the Castle, but I've no idea what could possibly have happened before the concert. That was bad enough, but this... [she looks around, shaking her head at the division among the passengers] This is absolutely insane.

[nosdacariad]

I know we were going to go back to Andres after this. That we should. But I don't think... [ he frowns deeply, trying to think of how to put this ] I don't think we can. If we don't find a way to stop all this, there's not going to be a country left to protect.

[attollores]

[she puts her hand on his cheek, giving him a small kiss before holding his gaze.]

Aye, I think ye have the right of it Mark. As much as I know we should go back, I also know that we couldn't live with ourselves if we didn't see this thing through. Wynn saved us both. We owe him the same.

[nosdacariad]

[ he reaches up to take that hand in his, and turns to light a kiss on her knuckles before saying with forced humor: ] Liam's gonna hate this.

[attollores]

Ohhh, I'd better text him and let him know that we're okay, or he'll kill me for sure! [She whips out her phone and sends him a quick text that I'll put up later.]

Yes, he'll hate this for sure, and he can always come with if he has a problem with it.

[nosdacariad]

As much as he'll want to, I think we should leave some people to keep an eye on things back home, and I trust him with security at the palace.

[attollores]

[She nods as a smile comes to her lips.

Home.

He said that word so easily, so warmly. Just like his voice. Like him. Home for her had always been a changeable thing, an elusive thought. Even crossing through the veil in Ireland, being taken in by the O'Rourke's, everything that had happened between her and Callum, it had still never truly felt like home. Joining the Knighthood had brought her closer to that still-elusive feeling, but it wasn't until Andres, until Mark that she had finally found what she had sought all these years. ]

You're right, he really is the best choice to stay in the palace in our absence. He's really going to regret giving that twelve-hour furlough.