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

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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ i would ask for a bluff check but this dude just crit failed his sense motive so HE LOOKS VERY SYMPATHETIC TO THE INSURANCE PLIGHT, nodding.

"Sorry to hear it... Do you need help getting him in the backseat? I can take you where you need to go." ]

I got him.

[ She eases Rafael down into the backseat, laying him as comfortably as she can across it and then just bunching his legs at one side. Good luck, sweet prince. She shuts the door and climbs into the passenger seat.

Imagine. Having superpowers. And not being afraid of climbing into a car with a random strange man. Oh wait that's just Uber nvm. ]

Thank you for this. [ her voice is scratchy still from crying a lil bit. ]

[ the guy looks in his rearview mirror, watching all of this until she gets in the front, then glances at her out of the corner of his eye.

"Must have been scary." ]

The accident?

[ Buffy looks at Rafael in the backseat. Frowns. ]

... Yeah.

[ Her expression crumbles a little, and she retreats inward. Scary is not knowing if it was on purpose or not. ]

[ the guy follows her gaze, staring in the mirror for a bit as he starts up the road in the direction she indicates, before he comes out with it: "He... looks kind of familiar." ]

[ Honestly Buffy is on the brink of a breakdown right now and this is just one more nail in that coffin, so she does the only thing she can do: she laughs. It's just such an absurd 'fuck you' from the universe for someone to recognize him on top of it all. Because of course his popstar status is the final straw. Especially when he hasn't made new music in a while with the kidnapping and all. ]

Yeah. [ She says when her cynical laughter finally bubbles down. ] Like Rafael Giovanni, right? He gets that a lot. [ This is TECHNICALLY TRUE but since I know you're gonna nail me on it anyway, bluff 24. ]

[ he glances over at her, and then in the mirror once more for an extended time as if evaluating that for himself, but then nods slowly.

"Yeah, that must be it. Wonder whatever happened to that guy." ]

I liked his music.

[ She says this while looking out the window (spot 35; i hope we're going the right way to the motel). ]

[ he at least seems to be taking her the right direction. It's not far.

"I always thought it was kinda brave. Him being what he was and all." ]

What he ... is?

[ is this going in a racist direction or ... ]

[ he casts her a nervous look, as if trying to read her expression.

"You know. Part... elf." ]

Ah.

[ She purses her lips and looks out the window more firmly. ]

You know, I don't think he actually has a choice in that one.

[ "Well, yeah, but I mean ... putting it out there publicly like that. It's very brave. Inspires a lot of people. We could use some of that right now, don't you think?" he seems almost to be trying to test her for her reaction with that question, eyeing her for her response ]

I don't think it should take bravery to do that.

[ She shakes her head. Apparently, the cost of hitch-hiking is her political manifesto. ]

I think it just shows the rest of us what cowards we are, letting other humans make it tough for Shadowkind in the first place. It's not their job to be inspiring -- they're just trying to live their lives.

[ there's a little bit of a silence as they bump along, the hotel cresting into sight on the horizon. when he speaks, it's very quiet, almost to himself.

"Yeah. Guess we are." ]

Thanks for the ride.

[ Buffy offers him a soft look, though it never becomes a smile. ]

Not everyone would have stopped.

[ "Especially right now. You be careful out there." he pulls into the lot and puts the car into park, glancing back again. "Need help carrying him in?" ]

Oh. No, I don't think so.

[ She slides out of her seat and opens up the door to get Rafael. She hoists him up easily, carrying him over her shoulder (str 26). ]

Yeah, we're fine. [ She offers a tired wave. ] Uh, thanks. Again.

[ the guy waves, casting one last lingering look at them, and then drives away. rafael, meanwhile, starts to stir a bit with a groan ]

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

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