new orleans ♔ there's always a siren singing you to shipwreck

[dragonsclaw]

♫ Butterflies and Hurricanes - Muse

WHO || Buffy, Alainn, Rose, Sam, Dean, Faith, Felicity, Isabella  [closed]
WHAT || The Ex-Knights of Failboat head off to interrupt an auction for Rafael Giovanni's life...
WHERE || New Orleans, LA
WHEN || A couple weeks post-LA
HOW || Actionspam

Held in the grasp of the Knighthood's enemies for a stretch of time that has been an aching splinter in the heart of the ones who love him, Rafael Giovanni's life now stands up for auction.  Having made a number of powerful enemies in his days as the vigilante assassin The Black Scourge, including the secret Vatican police known as Iscariot, Draken Crombe's organization sought to capitalize on the many who sought revenge by sending out word that Eterna Jade was not, as his trial had seemed to prove, the Black Scourge at all, and offer the chance to kill or torture Giovanni to whoever would pay the largest sum.

The Knights, being made aware of this, did what they could to stymie this auction from coming to pass, and Buffy Summer and Jack Chessing managed to at least thwart it several times, leading to its cancellation and inevitable rescheduling elsewhere.  However, none of this led to Giovanni's actual location. 

The capture of Draken Crombe finally allowed them to learn of the latest plans for the auction - to be held at a location in New Orleans, a temple of some sort.  It seems that Crombe's other followers still intend to follow through with ridding themselves of Rafael, making it clear that even with Crombe in Knights' custody, the villains still have some organization or leadership.  Tia Ellison rattled out the plan by invading Crombe's mind, learning of the way that he had been psychically manipulated by the Mind Master for years, and doing what she could to start to heal his shattered psyche.  

Jack Chessing, eager to see Rafael rescued after their many efforts, cautioned however against sending too many on what might be a mission from which there is no returning.  To that end, they've tried to split the forces of their magic-users, fighters, and researchers.

Now, it's up to a few to save their friend... without losing any more.

Comments

[littledhampir]

[ As she stares at him, something akin to pride begins to shine in her eyes because she does see it. The slow dismissal of every fear, every doubt that she's seen swirl around inside him in the past. Not of her, never of her but all those jagged thoughts that managed to spear his mind. That he wasn't good enough. That he had too much baggage. That simply his presence in her life would make her own worse.

She doesn't need the answer for her smile to pull wide across her features but she holds still, steady, waiting for it to come for his sake as much as her own and when it does? The calm she feels gives way to something else, an emotion that surges through her body and lifts her from the bed.

Unfortunately for Sam... two can play that game (will save crit fail) and she doesn't so much as acknowledge his entrance as she walks right past him, reaching for Dean as soon as she's close enough to all but climb on top of him and press a searing kiss against his lips... only realising once she tastes the salt on her lips that tears are streaming down her face.]

[likedillinger]

[ oh

well

that's happening.

sorry, indeed, sam, because dean lets her draw him into the kiss and returns it with equivalent passion, one hand wrapping around her back, his lips curving upwards involuntarily even as they're crushed against hers.

he breaks it off a few seconds shy of where it might get super uncomfortable for sam, but his eyes are all for her as he draws back, the small smile on his lips genuine and truly warm. still, his words are directed at his brother, and there's an unusual note in his voice, one that sounds kind of proud and confident and more than that, actually happy? ?? which is just not something that he's seen much from this version of his brother, period. ] Sammy, we might have to pop out for awhile.

[familybusiness]

[When he asked if you were hungry, he didn't mean this.

By the time Dean starts talking to him again, he's literally already finished putting on his shirt and he's starting to get into his socks and shoes on the other side of the room because he's not going to uncomfortably stare at that.

For the record, I rolled another wisdom check to see if he'd pick up on the atmosphere, and he CRIT FAILED AGAIN. So he thinks you're both secretly pissed at him and are actively trying to get rid of him. A+

He starts tying one of his shoes as he talks over his shoulder at them.]

Naw, it's fine. I can head out for an hour or two. I'll go for a run or something.

[He'll have to take another shower but w/e.]

[littledhampir]

[ You don't actually realize how close it was to Rose being 'Bai bitch' and jumping Dean's bones (She rolled a 2 okay) but she cares enough about you to spend that action point and now with a Nat 20 Sense Motive, she realizes exactly what's happening. ]

Sam! [ She calls back to him, but still can't quite bring herself to look away from Dean. Instead, she traces the fine little lines at the corner of his eyes, wanting to commit this look of happiness to memory. This is a version of Dean even she hadn't really seen before and she doesn't want to miss, even a second of it. ]

Come here you idiot. [ Laughter in her voice as she wipes away some tears with the back of her hand. ]

We'll need a witness.

[ Dear God, Sam. If you don't roll a decent check this time, shits gonna get real awkward. ]

[likedillinger]

[ dean turns to look at him, swinging his head around to fix his brother with a telling look. he can't help it if amusement creeps into his expression as he registers sam's total lack of understanding what is going down here. ] Think you're up for signing on the dotted line? Whattdya say, Sam - looks like I need a best man.

[familybusiness]

[Oh thank god, he rolled a 14 wisdom check. He halts just before the door, slowly turning his head to look at them. His lips have parted, his mouth having fallen open slightly, and his forehead is creased as his brows draw together in confusion.

He turns around fully then, pointing first at Dean, then to Rose, then back at Dean, his eyes flicking between them.]

Really? [He doesn't sound confused, his tone bordering closer to astounded.] Like....right now?

[littledhampir]

Yeah... why not? [ The laughter still in her voice as she finally allows herself to look at Sam.

They'd see it then, the two of them, a look that hasn't been seen in a very long time. One of pure, unadulterated happiness that lights up her whole face.

And then it immediately drops in a way that is nothing short of comical. ]

Oh, shit - Alainn. If I don't get Alainn she's gonna kill me. [ Wis 18. She got you gurl. ]

[likedillinger]

Can't have that. [ he looks back at sam, like WELL?? ] Got an answer for me? Because I should probably hit that shower next, while she goes and finds Alainn.

[familybusiness]

Are you kidding? Of course!

[Sam suddenly simultaneously looks like a kid on Christmas morning and the proudest little brother there ever was in the entire fucking world.

Also, he's coming over to give Dean the biggest hug because miracles are real.]

[likedillinger]

[ dean grips back onto him like nobody's business honestly, probably to hide the fact

that he's tearing up a little bit

will save crit... fail...

sam can no doubt hear it in his voice getting a little more late season gravel to it as he says: ] Thanks.

[littledhampir]

[ Rose watches quietly, an honest warmth in her eyes as she watches to the brothers together, and rather than say anything to break up the moment? She simply moves to go get Alainn, patting Sam lightly on the shoulder as if to say she knows, 'you got him'. ]

[familybusiness]

[The hug lasts longer than normal before Sam claps him once on the back, pulling away and patting his shoulder as well.

Something seems to dawn on him then, his eyes widening ever so slightly.]

What are we even going to wear? [He steps back, moving to the nightstand to pull out a faded yellow pages that's cover is ripped off.] Or go, for that matter.

[It's not Vegas, but it is New Orleans. Maybe there's something... (research??? 41).]

[likedillinger]

[ well luck would have it that new orleans has a 24/7 wedding chapel ]

I don't think she cares what I'm wearin', so long as I show up.

[familybusiness]

[He flips the book around so that Dean can see it. It's clearly a toursity thing, but he's pretty sure they won't care considering the whole...last minute nature of this.

It feels alarmingly appropriate.

There's the slightest of pauses at his statement before he speaks.]

Good point.

[Look, Rose has never been high maintenance.]

[likedillinger]

Why? You don't think I should go ... shopping or something, do you? [ he sounds vaguely horrified ]

[familybusiness]

I would just...make sure whatever you have on doesn't have blood stains on it or something.

[That seems important.]

[likedillinger]

[ he looks down at his pants which... certainly do. ]





You bring any spares?

[familybusiness]

Yeah. I'm wearing them.

[Sweatpants. Because his other clothes are also covered in blood. Most of it is his. Yikes.

Besides, Dean, you'd be swimming in them. Not a good look.]

Look, Rose is grabbing Alainn, right? Maybe she can just...magic up something.

[likedillinger]

Yeah, that'll work. Just stick it outside the door. [ he starts towards the bathroom door, grabbing a towel on the way and pauses at the door, turning back, with a look on his face that looks ... like it's starting to actually hit him ]






You don't think we're doing something stupid here... do you?

[familybusiness]

[There it is. He's been waiting for that.

He looks at his brother, any concerns over their clothes and all that extra crap crammed into a box somewhere. It doesn't matter. Not really.]

Can you imagine your life without her in it? Would you even want to?

[likedillinger]

[ he lets that hang there for a moment, before it draws a slow head shake out of him ]

No. I've never met anyone like her. Never will again.

But bringing her into this family...? You know what that means, same as I do. [ he flips the towel idly in his hands, looking down at it ] ... Guess it's a bit late for that though, huh.

[ he chuckles a bit, although it's more nervous than out of real humor, disbelief in his voice as he says, a little breathlessly: ] Me as somebody's husband. I've got no clue what the hell I'm doin', Sam. But I guess I'm not so afraid of trying, not with her. Not anymore.

I just can't screw this up. If I do one damn thing right in what's left of my life, it better be that.

[familybusiness]

[Sam actually looks like he's about to tear up over here because that might beb the most honest and emotional thing Dean's ever said to him about anything and it's amazing to watch.

It's a far cry from the Dean he ran into at the castle that threatened to kill him.]

Then you're not doing anything stupid.

[Seems like a pretty easy conclusion to come to, honestly.]

She's good for you, Dean. You're good for each other. It doesn't matter if you don't know what you're doing because I don't think anyone really does but you guys have been through hell and back and have only gotten stronger. [His smile is quiet, content.] You saved each other and you saved me.

Besides, you guys are practically hitched already.

[likedillinger]

[ dig - incubus

he listens to that all carefully, a slight smile starting to haunt his lips at the words, his eyes dropping to the carpet for a moment as he lets it sink in.

then he balls the towel up slightly, and throws it at his face (atk 32) before scooping up a second one from the stand next to him. he flashes a smirk at his brother as the towel drops, revealing a spark in his eyes that calls back to a million small moments in their lives Before ]

Hey.

No chick flick moments on my wedding day.

[ and with that, he's going in the bathroom ]

[familybusiness]

[With a nat 20 reflex check, the towel hits his face but the snatches it out of the air before it hits the ground. His smile is similar, as if in that moment nothing at all has changed or happened between them, like everything is right with the world and in its proper place.

He launches the towel back at him (atk 35) before the door can shut, satisfied when it hits the back of his head.]

Jerk.

[likedillinger]

[ as he's pulling the door closed: ]

Bitch.