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

Alainn: open for talking, closed from dinner on

[attollores]

[Alainn had been out of the castle for so long now that it's halls, once so familiar to her, no longer feel like home.

Home was with Mark. Home was on Andres. But that didn't mean that the worn marble floors and familiar coats of armor didn't fit like a comfortable glove. She wanders the halls briefly while calling her adoptive parents, checking in on them and telling them she and Mark were doing well. She says nothing about their plans of elopement away from the Knights headquarters, but she does say that she will call them again soon.

She wanders to Rose's room to casually invite Rose, Dean and Sam whoever he is to dinner with her and Mark that evening in their room, the pretense they would use to escape from the castle together (and three other people who want to come with them, since that would be her limit).

If anyone wants to bump into her while she is on her way to and from her and Rose's rooms, or while she and Mark are in their room together, feel free.]

[graveflowers]

[ vi almost says no to her daughter because they are busy and momma has things to do, but lucia's request is so plaintive and so easy to give into she finally takes lu's hand and leads her to mark and alainn's room. she can't tell lucia that they will see them both soon because she doesn't want lucia to know they're going anywhere.

she knocks on the door, wondering if she should have called first. but no. she would be doing this if they weren't leaving, she's doing it now. ]

Mark, Alainn? You guys in?

[attollores]

[After a moment the door swings open to reveal Alainn, a wide smile on her face at Vi's voice.]

Vi! Lucia! Come in, come in. [she steps out of the way to allow them into the room but doesn't pass up the opportunity to reach for Lucia with a squeal of joy.] Oh my goodness, c'mere peanut!

[graveflowers]

She's missed you since we were last in Andres. [ obviously because lucia all but leaps into alainn's arms, the sight bringing a smile to vi's own features. she loves how much lucia loves, uninhibited and fully. ]

She's gotten too used to being treated like a princess there. Coming back here must be such a let down.

[ at the word princess, lucia brightens and points to herself. "Princess!" ]

[attollores]

[Her laugh is full of delight and love, not a trace of the anxiety that has had a grip on her since they arrived in L.A. present. It was amazing what magic a child could bring about with merely their smile.]

Aye Lucia, Princess of Fairy Land it is [she says with a chuckle, giving her a big kiss on the cheek before turning to pull Vi into a hug as well, pressing her cheek to the other woman for a moment.] And we've missed her as well. We've missed the both of you.

[She pulls back, letting Lucia down to run to Mark.]

How are you doing, Vi?

[graveflowers]

[ vi welcomes that hug, that is for damn sure, mourning it the moment alainn lets her go to let lucia run free and wild as she pleases. ]

I'm okay. Winter is coming, which is a lot lamer to say as an explanation nowadays, thanks HBO, but I'm alive, so there is that. I'm more interested in you.

[ to say that she has been fond of alainn since the grammy's is an understatement, her brightness and light have always been a godsend, and vi always worries for the half-elf in the violence. she never wants to heal any more burns or terrible injuries, even if she knows that is a silly, desperate wish. ]

How's the island, how are Michael and Lara, how is my future ex-husband Dana? [ ex because he will divorce her when he realizes she doesn't love him and just wants someone to call her pretty on occasion and play with her hair. ]

[attollores]

[her mouth turns down in gentle concern at Vi's comment about winter, understanding the implications of her words and her hand comes out to the other woman's, tugging her over to a set of chairs in front of the fireplace.]

The island is doing much better. The rebuild is still underway, but it's given the people such a sense of hope and community to have a hand in remaking their home. [her gaze wanders over to Mark as he entertains Lucia and a fond smile crosses her features, mixed with a longing she can't begin to mask. Her lips turn up once more at Vi's inquiries.]

Lara, Dana and Michael are doing just fine, happy to have their friend back after all this time. It makes me happier than I can say to see him so open and free with them.

[graveflowers]

[ vi completely understands that longing and she squeezes alainn's hand as they sit. ]

I'm glad he got his life back. Not that we aren't great and shit, but home is... home. [ she leans in a little closer, lowering her voice. ] I'm not gonna ask if you guys are, you know, but if you ever want to talk about it, I am all ears. I can't give you any more nieces and nephews unless Luthir is down for some immaculate conception which I didn't think to ask in Arvandor, but you've always got our little Glowbug to spoil.

[attollores]

[Her face lights with a blush at Vi's words and she ducks her head, her smile faltering just the tiniest bit. A few moments pass before she answers, keeping her tone sotto voce as well.]

We... have to be careful so as not to have any Royal Problems. He's only just become King, with plenty enough on his plate to deal with without all the complications that would bring about. [Her gaze wanders once more to Mark and Lucia, that intense longing coming back full force, compounded by a very raw grief that takes her a moment to control.]

Besides, I'm nothing more than who the King is bringing to the opera, as it were. He's still receiving quite a few offers from many of the Royal families on the island, even though he and Lara have realized they aren't suited to each other. [There are a hurt and insecurity in her tone that is rarely heard from the half-elf, a fragile bitterness just on the edge of her tone.]

He's got too much to worry about without me... complicating things. [So no Vi, the answer is no. I'm sure that this is not the can of worms you were hoping to open. Maybe she's PMSing and that's why she's being all woe is me.]

[graveflowers]

Oh, mellonamin. [ vi's heart sinks, recognizing the fragility in alainn's voice. she honestly can't relate, never having been in the situation where her love wasn't the forefront of her life because she had zero other obligations, luthir had zero other obligations. if they'd wanted a child, they could have had a child.

they did. ]

You're not a complication, Alainn. You're the reason Mark has the courage to be a king. Andres will come around to realizing the Queen they're looking for is right under their nose already.

[attollores]

[that earns vi a grateful smile, another squeeze of her hand. The clouds seem to clear from her eyes as she clears her throat, gaining control of herself once more.]

I can only hope. [her nose scrunches as a wry snort works its way out of her.] Though I can honestly say I never dreamed that someday I'd be looking for that kind of title.

[graveflowers]

Well, if you need someone to emulate... [ vi jerks her head to lucia, the girl that already thinks she is a princess. lu knows what she is about. there's something wonderful about the certainty of children. ]

Hope is all we've got, so hang on to it.

[attollores]

It's the only thing that's kept me going this long. [Her good humor is restored watching Mark and Lucia play, a small chuckle escaping past her lips. And then it catches up to her exactly what Vi had said about Arvandor, and Luthir.]

Wait, you went to Arvandor??

[witchwoman]

[There aren't many people that Myri goes out of her way to see, but she hasn't had much chance to talk to Alainn (and Mark??), and she wants to spend some time with them before choices need to be made.

It feels a bit like goodbye, which is incredibly sad, but she is trying to do everything she can to help the group, no matter if she's there or not.

With Shayla at her side, Myri knocks on the door. Her daughter giggles and slaps her palm against the door for good measure.]

[attollores]

[Yessss, give her all the babieeesss.]

It's open! [she calls from within. She's at the desk typing away on her computer, a huge book sitting open next to her on the solid mahogany top. Mark doesn't appear to be in the room at the time.]

[witchwoman]

[Myri opens the door and lets Shayla toddle ahead of her. The little blonde breaks into a wobbly sprint very quickly, eager to explore another room and find all the things she shouldn't be touching.]

Shayla... [Myri gives her a soft warning, which is enough to slow the little girl down. Once she notices that there's someone else in the room, she looks back at Myri, suddenly shy.] Can you say hello? [She lifts a hand and gives a little wave and a quiet 'hi'. Don't take it personally, Alainn- she's just a shy little thing sometimes.]

[attollores]

[Alainn's head whips around at hearing Myri's voice, a bright grin breaking out on her face, her gaze taking a moment to sink to Shayla's level.] Myri!

[As soon as she see's Myri's child her smile grows with a fondness and awe that only the delight of children can bring about. She moves to sit on her knees on the rug a few feet in front of Shayla so that she's more on the toddler's level, giving her a goofy grin.]

Hello, little one. My name is Alainn.

[witchwoman]

[Though she's much more timid than her cousin Lucia, Shayla doesn't run back to hide behind Myri's skirts. She stands in the center of the room, chin tucked down towards her chest while she peeks at Alainn sitting in front of her.

"Hello." She says in a quiet voice. "Mommy says you're my Auntie. Like Auntie Vi and Auntie Buffy and..." She rattles off all her failboat aunts, swishing the skirt of her dress as she names each and every one. Myri covers her mouth to stifle a laugh.]

[attollores]

[She chuckles, her heart expanding at the sight of such a brave and shy little child.]

I would be honored to be your Auntie Alainn, if ye would have me as such. [Her eyes travel to Myri, dancing with mirth and adoration for this tiny creature in front of her.] But even if ye just want to be friends to try me out for a bit, that would be okay too.

[witchwoman]

["Where are your toys?" She asks, because obviously everyone has toys. Duh.]

Shayla, I brought some of your things. Would you like to show Alainn? [Myri sets a small tote bag down. There's some blocks, a few stuffed animals, but Shayla goes for her favorite- her books. She grabs one and brings it back to Alainn, holding it out. It's about a monster hiding under the bed who ends up being afraid of the kid.

"Story time?"]

[attollores]

[She takes the book, settling Shayla on her knee and reading to her, doing all the appropriate voices and sound effects. She giggles at Shayla's antics through the book, the sharp pang of memories hitting her just beneath the ribs. It reminded her of Rena, of her curiosity and strength, and her sweet innocence. Rena would be nearly ten now. She'd missed out on so much time.

After the book is done she would let Shayla down to play with the rest of her toys, standing and approaching Myri to pull her into a hug.] How are ye doing, love?

[witchwoman]

[Watching the two of them brings Myri so much joy. She finds a place to sit that's in Shayla's line of sight, so there's no panic of where Mommy went, but far enough to let the reading space be Alainn's to not distract from that. Once her daughter is up and busy stacking blocks to make a 'castle,' Myri takes tries to think of how best to answer that question.]

As well as I can, I imagine. It's been... an interesting few days. [So much to process and deal with and no time to really deal with any of it.] And you?

[attollores]

[Empathy and understanding fill her eyes and she nods, knowing that none of them had really had a chance to breathe, much less take stock of all that had happened.]

Same as you, I suppose. There is still quite a bit about what happened when all of you were on your way to meet us in L.A. that Mark and I are still in the dark about, but there are enough rumors flying about that we've been able to piece some things together. Though, Rose has promised to fill us in... later.

[witchwoman]

[Mention of the information Rose plans to fill them in on causes Myri to drop her gaze for a moment.]

A word of advice? Even if you don't feel as strongly about it at first as she does, it probably isn't wise to say as much. It's... quite a lot to process. I've watched the arguments between her and anyone who doesn't see this as she does. I think we all have to come to our own conclusions about it.

[attollores]

[She knows enough of what's going on to know that it is going to be a touchy subject for all parties involved. And the team that had been on this mission since the beginning had its fair share of volatile and opposing opinions, enough to know she had to reserve judgment until all available information had been obtained.]

I know. I realize how biased everyone's opinions can be, and I want all the information I can get before I make my own.

[a pause] What do you make of all of this?