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

[dragonsclaw]

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.

Comments

1/-

[dragonsclaw]

[ 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.

2/-

[postergirl]

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.

3/-

[nepotism]

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.

4/4

[telekinection]

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.

[littledhampir]

[ 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.

[65]

[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?

[witchwoman]

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.

[familybusiness]

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.

[slay]

[ 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.

1/-

[telekinection]

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.

2/-

[rationalizes]

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.

3/3

[nosdacariad]

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.

[witchwoman]

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.]

[dragonsclaw]

[ 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.

[bigbad]

[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.

[klep]

[Felicity doesn't seem bothered by Spike's declaration so she doesn't comment on it either way. Instead she just glances to Jack.]

Is there anything else? Before we go pack?

[dragonsclaw]

We don't know how far things will spread, but the place we'll be going is very secluded. If you have loved ones in the world who have no means of defending themselves from what may come, we may find limited room for them there.

[ he glances to the parents in the room ] The children should be safe there. And there will be those who can watch them while we are gone.

[witchwoman]

[The opportunity to bring the kids should make her feel better, but all it does is twist her up inside.]

If you want my help getting out of here, come to our room by sundown. If anyone asks, you should have plenty of excuses ready to visit, I'd imagine.

[klep]

Do you still want me laying low?

[It's addressed to Jack, and she has a feeling she already knows the answer, but she wants to confirm, just to be on the safe side.]

[attollores]

[She's been quiet through the meeting, preferring to watch and listen rather than putting her own two-cents in when she knew it would do no more than fall on deaf, angry ears. She'd been to a few de-briefings with this crew before, and Mark had told her enough about their history that she knew when to leave well enough alone.

That didn't mean she didn't have strong feelings about all of this, confusion and questions rolling around as well. Since they'd arrived the castle had been buzzing with rumors and innuendo, most surrounding their group, Des and Elena. It was impossible to miss what was being said, and all the wild theories about what had happened in L.A. from pretty damn close to the truth to completely insane.

She, Rose, Mark and Dean had yet to have their conversation about all of this as well, and she was waiting to form a more solid opinion until she had more information.

The only thing she contributes to the conversation is similar to Myri's offer, her own magic able to help those who may need it to get out of the castle. As if she and Mark would choose any differently than to go with their friends, their family.]

I've got the means to help a few people as well to get out of the castle, should anyone desire it. [Her gaze drifts around the room before landing on Rose and Dean, and Sam at their side who came in with them.

[To Mark she says softly ] I'd like to call Seamus and Patty. [They could tell her siblings.]

[graveflowers]

[ vi visibly deflates at jack's mention that the girls will be safe, gathering lucia back into her lap after her silent rebuff from dumage. she has options, but none of them are ones she particularly wants to have to make work until absolutely necessary so an out is... welcome. the nod of understanding she gives jack is full of gratitude. ]

[slay]

Look at you guys, coming through with the magic solution. And here I was, preparing for an undignified "climbing out the window" approach. Guess that's for the peasantry.

[ which is to say, yep i will totally take at least one of you up on that. provided it seems safe to do so, provided the likes of dumage won't show up with armed guards. ]

1/-

[shootfirst]

I could probably take the rest. Between the three of us, that's likely the best solution.

2/-

[nosdacariad]

[ mark looks to alainn, and nods, reaching out to squeeze her hand ] Good idea.

3/3

[postergirl]

[ dumage slides off the bed and moves towards the door, pausing there to look back at them, her eyes lingering on spike for a moment ] Well. Enjoy exile, all of you.

I'll be here, avoiding further disappointment.