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

[undealt]

I think everyone's making more out of that than there is. A threat significantly weaker than what we're dealing with now infiltrated and destroyed the castle once. So long as they're willing to keep their noses out of our business, I think I'll sleep better knowing we have more support on our side.

[The fact that Wynn would have never considered this option at all, by his observation, says a lot to him.]

[reallywicked]

I know of at least one Knight that they tried to kill just because she's not human, so I'm not really interested in getting buddy buddy. I get the whole "enemy of my enemy" thing, but it feels...not great.

[undealt]

[wow. he actually didn't think they were that bold. that... well, it doesn't change things, because he already didn't trust them. They're basically meatshields to him.] I wasn't aware they were that extreme. [He waves a hand.] Regime changes, even small ones, can cause strife. It's not ideal, but what else can we do about it other than make certain it all passes quickly, so we can get back to our lives as they were... If we can.

[reallywicked]

[Speaking of regime change.] Yeah, so Hasmed and Solace are like... co-Wynns now? How does that even work?

[undealt]

I'm sure it has something to do with seniority and other.. bureaucratic things. It seems like it was agreed upon among the section heads, anyway- and I can't say I don't agree. They're both highly qualified.

[reallywicked]

[Faye wrinkles her nose a little.]

You would. Hasmed actually likes you. [Does he like anyone, truly?]

[undealt]

Hasmed was my mentor, and he's been particularly considerate about my situation, where some practitioners might be wary. I just don't think anyone need worry that he's somehow more stern than Wynn- he just has less bias about what's happening.

[reallywicked]

[Faye has never dealt well with figures of authority, so it's no real surprise that she's felt indifferent to Hasmed on a good day. And after her chat with Rose, she's less inclined to be gung ho about his decision making skills.]

Yeah, well- if he asks, let him know that I want my shot at the action.

[Despite Rose's warning to steer clear, she wants to put her magic to good use.]

[undealt]

Well, that's the point, isn't it? Giving us all a shot at the action, rather than leaving it in the hands of a few people. Just because that lot hasn't had any luck doesn't mean there aren't people here who might be just as suited.

[Gold just came off a seance where people actually DIED when they provoked a god much more minor than the Nightmare God, but sure he'll still have an ego.]

[reallywicked]

Yeah, but it's pretty shitty how this has all gone down. If you guys got benched on the whole Amara thing because they thought you weren't getting the job done, it'd suck. [Faye has never been on a long term mission situation, so she can't use herself as an example.]

Even if it's the right call, it feels like a slap in the face. I just wish they'd own up to it. I'd probably trust this whole power shuffle more if they did.

[undealt]

Fair enough. [He probably could have dealt with it, but he knows Lila and David and Emma couldn't have. And he does miss his rad bromance with Charming.]

Own up to what? [It's a rhetorical question, since he knows what her response would be, but he has his own knowledge to go on, as well.] That it's all just a vie for power or that they're scared, because the one man they trusted their lives to has possibly been compromised by his own need to play the hero?

[reallywicked]

Own up to the fact that they're tossing aside people who have busted their asses for this place for years. Have you seen the kind of people who have been working that mission for all this time? Put a few babysitters on the team, sure- but bench them? [She scoffs and folds her arms over her chest.]

If they're disposable, so are any of us.

[undealt]

I'm afraid I haven't seen any of them, but it's hard to imagine a more formidable babysitter than both Dragon's Claws- one of whom is now dead.

[Which is just as telling to him, but he's also not a social butterfly.] Just remember, Faye- it isn't a matter of them being disposable. It could just as well be for their own safety. That sort of a mission- and the repeated failures- can have a profound effect on ones' psyche.

[reallywicked]

[She thinks there's a lot of flaws in that argument- chief among them that the remaining Dragon's Claw stuck it out so he clearly didn't think it was a mission they needed more help on or they would have asked for it, right??

But really, she doesn't have much of a horse in this race. She's angry on Rose's behalf but it's not her job or her problem to get anyone in the castle to realize how shitty the situation is.]

That's how you see it? [she shrugs] Great. I'm ready to fight if they want me. But I'm also watching my back because I don't trust those windbags any further than I can throw them.

[undealt]

Blind trust is for children, Faye. [so blunt] We made Oaths to the Knighthood and the belief system, therein- we made it for no one person. And, to be perfectly honest, all I care about is making sure the people I love make it out safely, and this world doesn't end. It's no offense meant to Hasmed, Solace, or even those charming members of Hellsing- it's just not in my nature to put my entire fate in the hands of anyone unless I know they'll look after my well-being.

[And while he knows Hasmed and Solace aren't trying to get anyone killed- the facts are there. People will get killed. Naive, trusting people, more than not.]

I intend to survive this.

[reallywicked]

That we can definitely agree on. [She lets out a huff of a sigh.] Whatever happened to that guy? Your kid or whatever. [Not that she cares. Or is insecure about him. Whatever. It's fine.]

[undealt]

[Thank god he passed that wisdom check to at least remember that he has a fucking son.] Neal? [It's almost dismissive- it's hard to feel anything for a son he doesn't recall and who he seemed to have a strained relationship with in general.] He's gone to live in London for the time being, but he stays in touch. [With people who... aren't him, for the most part. They're so awkward.] He's still trying to get control of his magic.

[reallywicked]

[She nods, still a little bristly about Neal's existence, but glad he's not still lurking around the castle.]

So there's a magical ticking time bomb in London? Great.

[undealt]

He's not a timebomb, Faye. He just needs... direction. And guidance.

[A dad???]

[reallywicked]

[As much as the guy's existence makes her grumpy, she can't help but raise her eyebrows at Gold's words.]

Uh huh. And who is he getting that from these days?

[undealt]

[awkward]

I'm not entirely certain he wants it from me.

[reallywicked]

Have you asked? [Why are you making her be the grown up here? She hates this.]

[undealt]

Well, no, but-

[Gold's face is the very picture of DID NOT THINK THIS THROUGH.]

[reallywicked]

[She just gives him a Look.]

[undealt]

[GDI Faye.]

I imagine it would be best to check in on him- at the very least to explain what's happening here.