chapter five ♔ it'll be a day like this one when the sky falls down

[eldritchweaver]

the blues - switchfoot

WHO || The Knights
WHAT || Failboat returns from the disaster in LA as the Knighthood goes on lockdown
WHERE || The castle, London
WHEN || Directly after this, Fall 2017
HOW || Actionspam

Hasmed's announcement does not brook any rebuttal: all Knights are recalled to the Castle, where they must remain until the Section Heads and Jack Chessing have spoken about the events in Los Angeles that have left the Knighthood without their usual leader.  

The entire Los Angeles area is now covered with a dark miasma that has interfered with any signals that might be sent out from phones, etc., leaving the whole world wondering what exactly is happening down there.  Final images showed horrendous monsters, a panic of citizens, looting and violence from humans and Shadowkind alike.  

Hasmed has warned of extra magical wards on the castle, and anyone arriving will immediately take notice of one very prominent one: above the entire roof of the excessively large building hovers a black and red sigil in the air, a pentagram in a circle surrounded by runes or words in an unknown language, stretching for miles.  

[ This is the social log for post-LA lockdown.  Failboat must complete the top log before being allowed to tag outside of it. ]

Comments

[banishers]

Fargason. [ gonna take a moment to correct her :| ]

I think my men can handle it, but thank you, Sir Ae'lorin. I imagine the Knights have an impressive store, but our weaponry is specialized to the task and our training.

[pilgrimages]

Of course.

[ she tightens her smile, then looks down at maggie-may with a look that somehow communicates U NEED TO STOP diplomatically? ?? ? ? ]

Right this way, Commander.

[ and she'll guide him towards the stairs. ]

[banishers]

[ he follows her up, glancing around as he does so ] An impressive structure. Especially considering what we've heard about the attack.

[pilgrimages]

Our sorcerers are the best in the world.

[ Never mind that she has literally no idea the particulars of how it was resolved so quickly. Gossip about Amara doesn't get to fucking Brazil. ]

And this is not only our base of operations. It is our home.

[ there's a hint of a rebuff there, like bitch you better respect it. ]

[banishers]

A situation I can assure you Hellsing fully grasps the significance of.

[pilgrimages]

Do you?

[ she stops in the entry of the training room to turn to face him fully. there's something pressing in her gaze. ]

I don't think you can.

[banishers]

Our home is Hellsing headquarters, our barracks stationed within the walls of Hellsing Manor itself. An attack on our base would be an attack on our home.

[pilgrimages]

And is Hellsing also a refuge for those who have nowhere else in this world to go? Many of the Shadowkind Knights here have been sheltered by Wynn since near the moment they passed through the Veil. This castle is their only safety in this world.

[banishers]

But certainly you would not call anyone here helpless, save for perhaps some of the help, who trust in you to ensure their safety, as we do.

[pilgrimages]

Not helpless. But ... invested. This castle is a symbol of hope.

[banishers]

Something those who work for Hellsing believe as well. Many of them have lost family members to these creatures we seek to stop.

[pilgrimages]

The loss of a loved one is painful. Believe me when I say that what Shadowkind feel when they enter this world is worse.

[banishers]

It sounds as though you understand firsthand.

[pilgrimages]

[ she mulls it over for a moment before discarding pretense and diplomacy and coming up firm and unyielding instead. ]

I do, Commander. On both counts. I have no doubts to your force's effectiveness, but while you're here, I ask that you also exercise discretion. It will make the transition ... smoother.

[banishers]

This alliance is tenuous on both sides, you understand. Many of my men will be working side by side with beings who have they have only encountered in the field, where they've been attempting to kill them.

They've been strictly briefed about expected behavior. But from merely my own reception, your own excluded, I can tell you that several of your Knights would be wise to exercise some wisdom in how they approach our soldiers as well. Treating us with bile and suspicion for merely walking through the door and offering our help is hardly a way to demand respect in return.

We were invited here, after all.

[pilgrimages]

By the leadership, in a crisis. Popular opinion did not invite you.

[ she stops in the doorway of the training room and folds her arms over her chest. ]

And that same leadership will be working to ensure any tension is short-lived. The situation is obviously fraught on both sides. We'll worry about our people. I'm only trying to help you understand where they're coming from so that you are sufficiently equipped to guide your own with knowledge of what they're walking into.

[ a moment too late (her mother would have remembered to start here, she thinks); ] I'm sorry that your arrival has been made uncomfortable. We are glad to have your help with this. [ she stresses 'help.' ]

[banishers]

Understood. And I hope you will relay my message to your section heads as well. Until then, we must find the best ways to work together.

Sir Ironsides has spoken with me already, in regards to the current status of military training here. It seems to have been mostly... optional for your Knights.

[pilgrimages]

[ err ]

Many of our Knights come to us with skills of better use off the battlefield.

[banishers]

That approach might have worked for your everyday operations, but we don't know how far this event will travel. All Knights should be combat ready, prepared for the worst.

[pilgrimages]

Ready for war, you mean.

[ for a child of peace, that is the worst. she frowns. ]

[banishers]

Precisely. Whether they excel at it, or want anything to do with it, by nature of their association with this organization, they may find themselves swept into the middle of it.

[pilgrimages]

I'll pass your message along. [ because really there's no better note to leave on than 'yes i understand we're preparing for war.' ] Let me know if you need anything else as you set up.

[banishers]

I will. Thank you.