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

[rationalizes]

I've spent my life believing in a Devil, even if very few others here have. The embodiment of all that stands against what is holy and good in the world.

If you could truly... serve such a being, then I fear for you. For what's become of your soul. And I don't know what you might be capable of.

I suppose that is something to fear as well.

[doubletake]

Well, luckily for you, my soul is perfectly intact. I am still Elena and I have not forgotten where I came from.

[There's a slight bite to the words, before she exhales to calm herself, turning her face away from the window again. Certain accusations are sure to push her buttons, no matter how poised she can be most of the time. Her carefully constructed mask seems to have cracks around the edges; though her voice is soft and firm, her eyes start to give her away.

She looks a bit like she's in pain.]

But I'm afraid you have one other detail incorrect. I am no one's servant.

[rationalizes]

The Prince of Darkness, the same being who rebelled against God and set his own throne above His word, renowned most prominently for his pride and ambition sees you as his equal?

I'm sorry, Elena. I find that very difficult to wrap my mind around, however powerful you have become.

[doubletake]

[Her will save was...terrible. For a moment, her features seem ever so slightly more angular, sharp, but then it's as if it was simply a figment of the imagination.

Her lips purse, then relax, and she speaks with a coolness in her voice.]

I'm on your side, Gar. No matter what you think you believe, that hasn't changed.

[She folds one arm under her chest, gesturing with her other hand vaguely.]

Circumstances were no different at Sarandis' wedding. If you'll recall, I made every effort to follow the plan set for us, I did what I could to keep Buffy from being in danger alone, and I secured our target on my own before delivering him to you without question. If I were not what I am, I would not have been able to do any of those things and you would likely be looking at a very different outcome with casualties that none of us want. If you can't believe anything else, believe what you've seen.

[rationalizes]

I know that I don't believe the ends justify the means. Which sounds suspiciously like what you're asking me to place my faith in.

[doubletake]

I think you know as well as I do that not the entire knighthood feels that way. They're willing to do plenty to see a mission through, and there are people on this very plane that have done things that many would find reprehensible.

[She pushes off from the wall beside the window, taking a step toward her, keeping her body language open and as non-threatening as possible.]

You're a good person, which is something of a rarity, if I may be so blunt. For what it's worth, I'd rather be the one to do what might be necessary to save this world than dirty your hands any more than required. Our enemies will not play nice and they will not show mercy. We either do what we must, or they win.

[rationalizes]

There has to be a line - if there's not, you aren't any better than those we stand against.

[doubletake]

And where is this line exactly? Who gets to place it and exact their justice when it is crossed? We've taken prisoners, committed murders, planned assassinations in our journey together. One of the very first things I experienced in this world was a Dragon Claw, who we all cared for a great deal, drop a group of people in an elevator to their hopeful deaths.

[She pauses to take a breath, lifting a hand to her temple, rubbing it idly.]

I will do what I can live with, the same as any of you. Perhaps when this is over, I'll be what you stand against next someday. We won't ever find out if this world is laid to waste.

[rationalizes]

[ the look gar affixes her with is nothing short of broken hearted ] I've seen my share of villains over the years, and heard similar words out of their mouths as well.

I don't know who you are, and maybe I never did. But if your actions come to evil in any way that I can stop, I won't be afraid to stand against you, regardless of how afraid I might be.

That is all I can live with.

[doubletake]

[She feels like she's been sucker punched, like she's had the wind knocked out of her. Her words don't come easy anymore, and it's all she can do to keep her watery eyes from shedding actual tears.

She refused to cry.]

You knew me when I was a child, when I was broken and weak. [She can't quite keep the shake out of her voice as she forces it out of her throat.] She must not have mattered all that much if she's so easily erased from your memory.

[She steps back, turns her head towards the window, and stares into the sun with unblinking eyes.]

Something tells me you won't forget me so easily.

[rationalizes]

You have a twisted idea of strength, and I pity you for it. [ she turns around ] That girl you thought was so weak, I will always remember. You can make of that what you will. [ and with that, she starts down the aisle ]

[doubletake]

[She can see Gar's retreating form out of the corner of her eye, and her breath is shaky for the first few inhales before stilling again.]