knightsoflegend | closed ♔ and when we collide

Entry tags:

closed ♔ and when we collide | we'll see what gets left over

WHO || Failboat [closed]
WHAT || After the announcement, Jack calls a meeting
WHERE || Thomas Bancroft's room, the Castle
WHEN || 8am, the day after LA
HOW || Actionspam or prose

Solace's announcement makes the situation unfortunately plain - those who have worked to stop Blade and company for the last five years have been side-lined, and will be until this ends, one way or another. Jack has sent out a secret communication to all members of the team, asking them to gather in Thomas Bancroft's old room, which has stood empty since his death, and is usually locked.

When they make their way there before 8am, however, they will find the door unlatched. Jack is already inside, with Gar seated near him, one hand on his arm. Kat leans against the wall behind Fred, who is seated in a chair. Her arms are folded, and she's grinding her teeth back and forth.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I'm in too. [He might not like Rafael much, but he was just about ready to leave the Knights anyway. This isn't what he signed up for.]

And... [He glances towards Rose, a hint of regret in his eyes. He knows she's not going to like the next thing he says. But he's gonna say it anyway.] We should bring in Des and Elena.

[Well this is why you keep a criminal around.]

I have burners. We'd have to activate them, but they'd be a way to communicate under the radar.

[However, Spike's inclusion makes her hesitate, and she raises her finger just slightly.]

That plan though, I'm a little less fond of. If what they say is true and we do actually need them to take down the Mind Master, that's fine, but I really think we should limit their involvement in the planning process, just to be on the safe side.

[There's a beat.]

I know I'm still the new kid on the block, but if they're going to continue to play why we need them so close to the vest, that doesn't exactly scream trustworthy to me. They're not being completely open with us, I say we should return the favor.

[But that's just her stance. She won't force everyone to follow her stance.]

[Just as things seemed to be going so well under the circumstances...

Rose misses half of what Felicity is saying as she stares at Spike with a look of wounded betrayal, her face a twisting with her hurt before the anger takes hold.

The hurt expression might have been easier to bear as her gaze turns to ice but of all the people she thought might have said that, Rose never in a million years would have believed it would have come from Spike.]

Next thing you'll be saying we should team up with the Mind Master to take down Blade.

[Her words hard, lacking any warmth that might have ever existed before as she pointedly looks away from Spike, like he's no longer there.]

I'm in for the rest of it. And if you need muscle to help get to this prisoner... I'm already packed.

I think it's already pretty clear that if Rose is going, we are too.

[He gestures between himself and his brother with a shake of his thumb.

He looks over at Spike.]

I know they were your friends, but as someone a little more removed from them personally, you're gonna have to realize that they're not anymore. If they want in on this, it's for a reason, and just because it might not stab you in the back right this second, even if it seems like they're on your side right now, it's only a matter of time.

[Diplomacy 26. He looks back at Jack.]

We might not be able to keep them from just showing up if that's what they feel like doing, but the less they know, the better off we're gonna be.

[A beat.]

I'm, uh, Sam, by the way. For those of you who don't know me.

[Way to somehow end that awkwardly, Sam.]

You don't have to be outside of this to have perspective, [ vi says, not condescendingly or combatively, looking at buffy with a wan smile. she's so tired. ]

There is a reason Des and Elena haven't been pulled in on the last few missions, and that was before we knew they were aligned with Hell. That was a calculated decision that... we made without the rest of you. [ she shrugs, not overly apologetic while lucia lays her head on dumage's leg and stretches out to rest the rest of herself on violet. ]

We're not going to throw precaution to the wind and call them in right now for a fireside chat, but if they have a way to stop the Mind Master for good, and that is subject to mucho scrutiny, we're going to have to pull them in eventually and everyone in this room is going to have to vag up and deal with it.

Oh bloody hell.

[Spike rolls his eyes, standing up.]

No, I don't have to realize that, because nobody will give me an actual reason for that past they're with hell. So bloody what? If the bible says it's bad, it is? Last I checked, touching a cross hurts me just as bad as any demon. So you'll forgive me if I need more than that before I start turning on my friends! No one has to trust them. I certainly don't. But I'm going to at least hear them out.

[Diplomacy nat 20 (24 total). He turns towards Rose, then past her to Vi and frowns a little harder.]

How many people have known all this time and never thought it was something it was worth sharing with the class?

All due respect, Spike, we tried hearing them out. They didn't want to talk.

[She takes a deep breath as she tries to phrase this in a way that isn't attacking him. She doesn't disagree that he shouldn't have to turn his back on his friends. But if she's picking up on what Jack was putting down with her earlier, she may be the public face of this mission for a bit. And if she's going to be trusting people to have her back as she does this, she wants a little transparency.]

I don't care about Hell. I don't. I have no stake in that argument whatsoever, though I know some people in this room do. I care about transparency, and so far, they haven't seemed willing to give it. If they do, I'll reassess, but until then my vote is no.

Turning on them isn't exactly a fair thing to call it when they've gone out of their way to hide things from us for all this time, things they knew would create this tension. They made a choice, and each of us has the choice to make as well, to determine how we feel about it. And what it means for our friendships with them. How I feel about Elena or Des as a friend holds no bearing on this, though.

[She takes a breath and looks around the room.]

If they were siding with the Mind Master, we'd be dead by now. I think we can all agree on that. Whatever their agenda may or may not be, it seems to coincide with our own for now. I'm not saying anyone has to trust them, but the only thing I care about right now, is making sure all of you make it out of this alive, and the best way to accomplish that is by calling in every ally we have.

There are countless villagers who lost their lives because they thought my magic made me a demon, evil to the core, meant to trap their souls to use for my own bidding. I offered help and they chose to chase me out with torches and pitchforks, tried to burn me alive more times than I want to think about. I am not saying that Des and Elena are on the side of good. But I am saying that good is not always so easily defined. And sometimes the person you fear the most is only trying to save your life. [Diplomacy 37]

[Rose is about two years too far gone for any diplomacy check regarding Hell, Des or Elena to ever have a hope of working on her and that was one hellova (ba doom ching) will save. The careful control she's managed to exert over her emotions is quickly slipping away as every fear she's harbored for years, feels like they're coming to pass here and now.]

And what about when they're using your life to bargain for their own protection! [Incredulous at the idea that she even has to defend her stance on this. (This Will Save not so much).]

This isn't some, misunderstanding. There aren't shades of grey here. Even if they do seem to want the same thing right now... The fact is? If hell change their mind?! Then Elena and Des will fuck us over. They aren't loyal to us. Not the Knights and certainly not the people in this room. They're loyal, to their Masters and themselves. How many times do they have to keep proving that before people accept it?!

[Gesturing at Spike.]

And if you wanna sulk because you weren't brought in on something because we were trying to save your life, then fine. But I will not work with them unless we absolutely have to and we are nowhere near that desperate yet.

We have accepted it, Rose, don't worry. [ vi still loves elena, vi will defend elena to the ends of the earth, but vi will not bring elena into this until the last possible second, not until they have to. and it's not just for their safety, it's for elena's. why would she ever willingly bring her into a team where more then one want her dead? ]

We will bring Elena in when we have to and not a moment before, that is just how this shit is going to go. For everyone's safety. [ the last which is directed with a level gaze at spike. if he is thinking of his friends then he has to accept he is foolishly trying to invite them to a bloodbath. she reaches out to squeeze myri's fingers, assuring her that she isn't going to give up on either their friend or their chances, she just knows they can't do it like this. ]

We are not refusing their help, we can't if we hope to take down the Mind Master for good, but we will not invite them to any planning sessions before it is absolutely necessary. This isn't an argument, this is a fact. We don't have the luxury of years of group therapy to figure out all of our shit, we have to be decisive and smart, we can't spend every meeting arguing with each other like we used to. It's a waste of time now and we don't have time anymore.

[ jack watches this heated debate break out with a stoic expression, but at violet's words, he nods and jumps back in ] Sir Reedhym is correct - there's no reason to invite them in for anything other than an actual attempt on the Mind Master, should we deem that necessary. And for the moment, we have other concerns that must come first. I don't believe it is wise to tell them anymore than we must, under any circumstances. We don't know what their motives are anymore, and it's foolish to think that just because they might not be in line with Blade and his ilk, that they are necessarily beneficial to us.

Let's let that be a conversation for another day. For now, we run short on time. If they learn what we intend to do, they may fear that we are compromised, that we intend to interfere with their plans.

Stopping them is pointless, and unfortunately, unwise. Someone has to be on the front lines, preventing this from spreading while we race against the clock. But the longer we take, the more Knights may pay the ultimate price to do so. We don't have the time to turn on one another. Those who intend to come must recognize this.

You're assuming all of us intend to go on this insane suicide mission of yours. [ dumage sits up, gently pushing lucia back towards her mother ] I don't remember everyone agreeing to it yet.

I, for one, am going nowhere. And I think the rest of you would be smart to consider doing the same.

I can't. [ fred speaks up suddenly, his expression fixed ] You've heard the way they're talking. They don't trust Wynn.

I believe he's alive. He's out there, waiting for us to come help him. He's done so much for all of us, for the whole world. I'm not going to leave him out in the cold. And I don't trust Hasmed and Solace to have his best interests in mind, at the moment.

And you shouldn't. Hasmed has been whispering in Solace's ears for years, and the old sorcerer has been questioning Wynn now for much longer in our private meetings with him. I think he truly believes that Wynn was past his prime, that someone else needed to take control of the Knights. I think he's been waiting for this.

Maybe I'm wrong. [ she glances at jack ] I hope to God I am. But I have to go with my gut. I don't sense anything strange psionically about any of you, Jack included. If they won't even take my word on it because they're so afraid of being betrayed, then their power has begun to mean more to them than their peers.

We have to take a chance on trusting each other. The more we let them divide us, the more they've won.

Edited 2017-10-15 12:56 (UTC)

[ Rose at least appears to relax a little - as much as anyone can - when it seems that at least for now there's a general consensus on Elena and Des. She glances at Dean, some silent apology shining in her eyes but otherwise backs down from the fight that she was willing to wage on this point. She had lost too much to those people. She wasn't willing to risk anything more unless she had no other choice.]

You're not. Wrong, I mean. [Rose lifting her gaze to Tia.] After we brought back Gar... Solace tried to suggest that I couldn't trust Wynn.

[There's a flash of something caught between anger and regret, Rose shaking her head.]

Wynn knew.

[finnick doesn't stomp off when jack speaks because, unlike fucking rose and dean, jack appears to have put some actual thought into breaking away and what it would mean. and then the fighting about des and elena starts and finnick just stares dead-eyed like really. really fam. okay. except for myri. he'll squeeze her hand when she speaks.]

I heard them. Years ago. When I was still a squire. Hasmed was my mentor, you know. And when I went to his office to meet him, he and Solace were talking about … well, I don't suppose it matters anymore. But they made it clear they don't trust Wynn.

That said, I know some of us want to do the brave thing, going out guns blazing, but … what chance do we really have? I said it earlier, I'll say it again. Our track record is abysmal. I'm all for fighting, if I thought I would be making a difference, but how is this any different from throwing ourselves at a wall?

It all sounds a little too familiar for my taste. Are we any different for the way we handle ourselves? Chatting behind closed doors about who we can trust based on how we perceive their choices? [she sighs] Can we talk about what is to be done to fight the Mind Master? Is there a way to stop her ability to hurt others when we hurt her? Or to protect our minds from whatever tampering she tries? [She glances briefly to Finnick since they're two prime examples of things this group was not prepared for.]

If we simply run in again and learn nothing, Finnick is right. We're as good as dead. And that helps no one.

Right now we just need to figure out who's leaving, how and when. If they're watching you guys, it's only a matter of time before they figure out this is happening and try to do something about it.

[They can discuss strategy and do research later.]

I don't know about you guys, but I'd rather not have to fight my way out.

[ buffy is so hung up over her surprise at hearing myri decry elena and des for their choices that she barely reacts to the rest. it sounds …

well, unlike her. she's always taken the strides to understand. she's the most empathic of them all, and not just because of her powers. ]

It helps Rafael.

[ that's a gentle correction of myri. ]

They pushed us behind closed doors. I wanted to do this by the book. I wanted to bring them in on it, but they iced us out. It's going to get people killed — more than just us. [ to myri, she adds, ] I think we'll all understand why some people here might not want to go. We all have things we need to protect.

But you can't begrudge us the choice to go either. Not when they've forced our hand. It's not about ... loyalty or honesty or any of that. We're talking about an apocalypse. I'm not going to sit by and do nothing while they turn these people into canon fodder when there's a chance we can make a difference.

The more we learn about the Mind Master, the more I'm starting to think that these are psionic defenses that she's putting up around you. And if they are, I might be able to bring them down. She's... powerful, yes, but if we try to find ways to attack her that aren't physical, we might have more luck if we can't bring down her shield.

Either way, I intend to be there.

Either way, Sam is correct: now isn't the time to debate strategy. We need to move and move quickly, which... means a swift decision for those who intend to leave. Hellsing will be here within the next twenty-four hours, and once they are here, it might be harder for us to slip away unnoticed.

I think we each need to make that decision for ourselves, and those who intend to come should meet us at the airfield, tonight. It will likely be best if we don't all try to slip out at the same time. Take what you can that might be useful, but remember, we can't short the Knights on supplies either. They're going to need them. And it will be easier to get out if we travel light - and less suspicious if you get caught.

I'm not big on throwing the 'King' card around, but now's probably a good time to mention that if we need to requisition something specific, I can do that for us. We don't need to carry giant weapons out of here.

Edited 2017-10-15 20:46 (UTC)

Whether I go or not, I can at least use magic to get a fair number of the group out easily. And I'll do what I can to take as many health potions as I can manage from the Light wing. [Keeping you assholes alive no matter what]

While most of us are in one place, there's something else. If we're separated, you can find me if you travel East. I can't give any more detail than that. But the stargods only know what happens next, so I want you to know that now. [She glances to Finnick and Vi because this is going to come up in our other thread so they'd know about her dream by now. Waves hands at timelines.]

[ jack looks a little uncertain at myri's words, but adds: ] Well, that's convenient, as east is exactly where we're headed.

Beyond that, I shouldn't say more, considering not everyone intends to join us. [ dumage ] If you have goodbyes to say, I suggest you do so... without sounding the alarm, so to speak.

[Spike doesn't look happy. He hasn't looked happy for a while, obviously. He looks over at Dumage, pain flashing through his eyes, but he won't ask her to come with any more than he'll stay here. They all have their choices to make. Even if this crew weren't leaving, he would be. He doesn't do house arrest.]

I don't like this. Right now I don't trust a single bloody one of you. [Except maybe Myri. She's cool.] All of you, condemning Elena and Des for lying when you're no better. I'm bloody tired of it. And I know not a one of you is going to change, cause all your heads are too far up your own asses to let anything out before it's too late and already trying to kill us.

[He shakes his head.]

If I could see a single bloody alternative, I'd take it. But I can't, so I suppose I'm in anyway.

closed ♔ and when we collide | we'll see what gets left over

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