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

[wishuponadjinn]

[His had already come true.

A few times.

Being a slave to someone else, being forced to re-shape the world to their design and the resulting suffering was something that still woke him up at night.]

What are you afraid of, Faith? What are your bad dreams?

[moonheart]

I'm not talking about my dreams, Jordan. I--

Sometimes I go drifting through other people's. People here in the castle, even.

And the things some of them fear... if those things became real?

[wishuponadjinn]

[Oh. Ohhhhhh. Wisdom 21

It finally hits him just why she's so damn worried bad wisdom checks suck and his eyes widen, hand tightening around hers.]

So what can we do about it?

[moonheart]

I don't know. I'm not sure warning people will do more than terrify them.

[wishuponadjinn]

Is there anything you can do to monitor these nightmares? Make sure if they start to get too real, we do something about it? [because of course, he isn't going to let her tackle this alone, now that it was on his radar.]

[moonheart]

I could try. But it might take a lot out of me. I've never done anything like that before.

[wishuponadjinn]

[He bites his lip, considering their options.]

Maybe you can practice, build up your strength? I'd be willing to help. [there are other ways to help her as well, more magical ways to give her a boost. It probably wasn't the best idea though, but for her, he'd be willing to do whatever it took.]

[moonheart]

It would involve you facing some pretty terrible nightmares. Are you sure?

[wishuponadjinn]

[ no, he wasn't sure. Not really. He hated to think of her seeing his nightmares, but if it meant that it could help her? He'd do anything.

He gives a bit of an uncomfortable shrug before nodding.]

Sure. If it can help you, then yeah, let's do it.

[moonheart]

Right now...?

[wishuponadjinn]

[Hoooookayyyy here they goo~]

Uh, sure. Yeah, I guess right now is as good a time as any.

[moonheart]

You'll need to go to sleep first. Do you think you can do that?

[wishuponadjinn]

[lmfaooooo well, he rolled a 19 on his Fort Save... So he is totally and completely not tired, in the least. He catches his bottom lip between his teeth, a hand coming up to scratch through the back of his hair as he shrugs a bit apologetically.]

I guess everything that's been going on around here lately has me a bit on edge. I... am not really all that tired. [He gets a considering look on his face.] Is there anything you can do to kind of... help me along?

[moonheart]

Not... really my wheelhouse. We could find a mage?

[wishuponadjinn]

I mean, sure we could do that, but that might take a while. Or we can get there faster.

[He gestures to the bands around his wrists with a shrug and suggestive look. He trusts her.]

[moonheart]

[ she bites her lip, looking down at the bands, and reaching out to gently take his wrists ] You're sure?

[wishuponadjinn]

[He turns his hands up, holding her wrists as she holds his, zero hesitation in his words.]

Yes, I'm sure. I trust you, Faith. [There's something more there, buried in his words but it remains unspoken.]

[moonheart]

[ hoo boy ]

... I wish you would fall asleep. Not forever!

[wishuponadjinn]

[annnnd just like that, he slumps backward onto the bed, a soft snore drifting up from where his nose is squished against the pillow.]

[moonheart]

[ annnd she will let out a breath, her fingers raking through his hair gently as she closes her eyes... and falls into his dreams ]

[wishuponadjinn]

[His wish magic is strong, even without her holding his bottle, and her words had sent him fast and deep into his subconscious, where his dream is rather unfocused.

The images sharpen, slowly at first, then with dizzying speed, she would find herself walking the halls of a large palace, opulent in ways the Knights Castle couldn't compare to. The smells of spice and sand permeate the warm air and distant strains of music can be heard, along with the laughter of a crowd of people.

From the doorway just ahead of her comes Jordan, his look of consternation turning to one of joy as he catches sight of her. His outfit is something he would probably never choose for himself, as evidenced by how he is tugging at the sleeves, but stops at the sight of her.

He offers her his arm, his smile soft and secret as he looks her over appreciatively, her own outfit something she most likely would have only dreamt of (har har).]

Good evening, my lady.

[moonheart]

[ faith's eyes are wide as saucers as she twirls in place, taking in the sights around her. she's heard about the lands that jordan comes from, a little bit, but if it was really like this...

spotting him stops her in her tracks however, because damn. her heart flutters a bit as she reaches for his arm ] This is all you?

[wishuponadjinn]

[he smiles at her the look of wonder on her face, kissing the back of her hand before placing it in the crook of his arm.]

This is all of me, yes. [he doesn't seem to realize that they're in a dream, misconstruing her words as he leads them towards the sound of music.]

[moonheart]

Not what I-- [ you know what, letting it go ] It's beautiful.

[wishuponadjinn]

[his hand comes up, fingers brushing against her cheek softly, his smile brilliant.]

Not as beautiful as you.

[They come upon a set of double doors, ornately carved with scrollwork and softly glowing runes all over their surface. They can hear the rumble of people beyond the heavy portal, the strains of music swelling louder still as suddenly the doors are opened to reveal a full ballroom of dancing couples.

He leads her in among them, the crowd parting to let them pass, everyone looking them over and speaking behind their hands in intrigue. In the center of the floor he stops, turning to hold his hand out for her to take, the other going to her waist as he beings to lead her in a waltz as the music changes (dance 21)]