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]

[He starts guiding her towards the more restricted areas of the library. It is not for library sex.]

I had believed that perhaps I was done with surprises about my... condition [let's go with that] . But unfortunately...

[He stops once they've found a private corner and begins to remove his suitcase. No really. It's not library sex.] Please don't be alarmed. He would not look this unhappy if it were.]

[untethered]

Auric, what... [ no rly this is bizarre ]

man i fucked up some html in there because of library sex

[undealt]

[Rather than just explain, he rolls his shoulders, and...

well.

wings happen.]

[untethered]

[ one hand rises gently in front of her mouth to suppress a gasp, her already large eyes growing even larger in shock, but not with horror. ] What-- [ the word drops breathlessly from her lips, and then she lowers the hand, eyes sweeping across those wings, before she tentatively takes a step forward ] How?

[undealt]

[Gold looks so pathetically dumbfounded by the whole thing that it's almost funny. Just wakes up with wings one day like WHHHY.] I'm not sure. It was as if they grew in overnight.

[He dismisses them, lest someone walk in on them.]

[untethered]

And you think it... has something to do with your magic?

[undealt]

Something of the Dark One coming back, perhaps. [It's not like he knows anything about what the "Dark One" really was.] And I've exhausted all my resources- by all intents and purposes, there is no such thing as "The Dark One." My magic isn't tainted as far as anyone has been able to recognize- I imagine I would have heard from someone by now if it was.

I didn't want to have to start looking again. I wanted to be at peace with the knowledge that I've left that in some other world with all my memories of it.

[untethered]

[ she shakes her head ] Maybe knowing the truth is the only thing that will bring you real peace. I... I want to help. Maybe together we can find something.

[undealt]

Are you certain? [He hesitates.] There's a chance the truth is a very ugly thing. Nothing we've learned so far has been pleasant, to say the least.

[untethered]

No... but we've dealt with it so far, and we'll deal with whatever else comes.

[undealt]

We have, that. [The anxious expression on his face slowly curves into a smile.] And it would be much easier to bear with someone I trust and love by my side. Doing it alone has done me no favors thus far.

[untethered]

Whatever you find out, it doesn't change who you are. You've proven that already, time and time again.

[undealt]

I have a feeling everyone else will not be as easily convinced of that as you are.

[He's just saying if he were to stroll out now with his wings out like HEEEY GUYS WHAT'S UP, he'll... probably be shot on sight.]

[untethered]

Then we arm ourselves with the truth so it can't be used against us.

[undealt]

[it certainly can't go as badly as last time...

but he's heartened by her faith and he pulls her into a gentle embrace.] Thank you, Belle. With all you've heard about me- with all we may never understand about who we were before we came here- you've never lost your faith in me. I might have given up hope were it not for you.

[untethered]

I doubted you once before, and I saw how that turned out.

You're still here - because you're a good person.

[undealt]

I suppose there's no arguing with that. I very well could have decided to leave and never come back, but I chose to face my demons head-on where no one can get hurt... And now, I'll face them with you, my love.

[untethered]

Exactly. And... with wings, apparently.

[undealt]

I don't really plan on using those unless I have to...

[Though, on one hand... He is gimpy and can't run. THAT IS WHAT TELEPORT IS FOR.]

[untethered]

Then let's hope it doesn't become necessary. [ she'll give him a tight squeeze of reassurance ] But you shouldn't have to hide who you are.

[undealt]

In a perfect world. [He kisses her forehead, so he doesn't have to let go of her just yet.] Perhaps one we'll see when we survive this.

[untethered]

I haven't given up believing in that world. I never will.

[undealt]

We need a few more people willing to see that light around here. As I said, I trust Hasmed believes in what he's doing, but it's an easy war to lose hope in, if we allow it.

[He reluctantly pulls back.] Which reminds me... I need to speak with him.

[untethered]

About what?

[undealt]

He was my mentor. I wouldn't necessarily call him a friend, since this is Hasmed we're talking about, but we've been confidantes for awhile now. I'd like to get his private perspective on this. I may not agree with all of his decisions, but that's the burden of leadership.

Someone should let him and Solace know that they're aware they're making the best of a bad situation, and that the outcry isn't unanimous.