knightsoflegend | closed ♔ we'll outrun the dawn

WHO || Christos, Katniss (for now) [closed]
WHAT || As the Knights pack up to leave for America, Christos has a conversation with Katniss
WHERE || A parlor at Knights HQ
WHEN || End of 2017
HOW || Actionspam (single thread)

[ Preparations to move the Knighthood to the SHIELD headquarters in Las Vegas are well underway, and the place is filled with activity as people begin packing up what they feel they may need, and making difficult calls about what to leave behind.

Some are busy making even more difficult calls.

Katniss found a note left for her on her pillow, instructing her to come to a particular parlor at a particular time, in a familiar enough handwritten script. There must, as always, be a reason for his subterfuge in choosing not to use Drakenet to send the message, but there's something ominous about this meeting that casts an extra tension over the scene. As she pushes open the door, she would see that he is seated at the piano at the far end of the room, his fingers tracing over the keys, without actually playing anything.

As she steps closer, his fingers come to a stillness, and he speaks without looking fully back: ]

You are certain you're alone?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ genesis 30:3 - the mountain goats

the same day, there comes a rapping on francesca's door... ]

[ after a long moment, she pokes her head out, a bit concerned about who might be on the other side. seeing christos, however, she relaxes, and opens the door wider to face him. ] Hi.

[ there's a tension in his entire frame when she opens the door, the lines of his expression draw into a serious and grave aspect that surpasses even the usual bar. ] I need to talk to you. Privately.

[ she immediately moves aside, gesturing for him to enter. ] Come in.

[ he steps past into the room, pausing for a half moment as his eyes skate around, taking in the decor so to speak. he doesn't sit down, but waits for her to shut the door before speaking. ] I'm not quite certain how to put this. So I won't waste time with it.

I've been in contact with Jack Chessing since he left, and the other members of his team. They're formulating an alternative approach for this Blade situation, one that doesn't involve recklessly throwing ourselves into the line of fire to no avail.

Francesca, I don't believe it is wise to follow Hasmed and Solace to America. So I don't intend to.

An 'alternative approach'? [ it's clear it's taking her a moment to process everything he's just said, and she appears posed to continue along this line of questioning, when a look of realization suddenly crosses her face, and a much more pressing question comes to mind: ] Wait. Are you leaving?

[ unlike in his conversation with katniss, there's at least a hint on his face of exactly how much it means he'll be leaving behind, and an acknowledgement that it isn't easy. but of course, she fully knows just how much this place and these people have been the only home he's known for so long. ]

With Katniss.

[ there's a slight beat, before he comes out with it: ] Come with us.

[ she's nodding her head before she manages to vocalize any kind of response, the sincerity and vulnerability of the moment leaving her a bit breathless ] Alright.

[ she clears her throat ] When are we leaving?

[ no questions again, which this times affords him substantially more relief, even. the look he fixes her with is certainly pleased with the turn of events. ] I told her to meet me in the ballroom at 3:30 in the morning. We'll have to avoid being seen leaving, given Hasmed and Solace's dictums.

[ noticing his relief, she gives him just the slightest smile ] I'll be there.

[ but then she's back to business, and while she has complete confidence in their ability to sneak, under most any other circumstances, she can't help but ask: ] You have a plan, then? On how we might escape undetected?

I've a feeling that between the three of us, we'll manage just fine.

[ so no plan, then. well, as long as they're all on the same page.

she nods. ] I should get packing, then.

As light as possible, would be preferable.

[ there's a beat, while she starts to turn to pack, where he just... stands there, a little awkwardly. but finally, he'll start to step back towards the door. ] I'll see you soon.

Christos, wait. [ she stops what she's doing, realizing she's forgotten something important, and meets him at the door ] Thank you, for... [ she pauses, her eyes scanning his face closely as she searches for the right words ] For thinking of me.

[ he stops and turns towards her, blinking a bit at her pronouncement, an unreadable emotion flashing through his eyes as he studies her face in return. ]

Of course. [ it's said simply, but with an implication of what else would I do ]

[ she lets the moment hang there between them for a couple seconds, her face relaxing into a half smile, before deliberately brushing past him (quite obviously closer than necessary) to reach for the door. ] I'll see you soon.

[ while a returning smile very barely touches his own lips, it's there, and even more visible in his eyes. he nods very slightly, apparently out of responses for that, and after a moment, heads out the door. ]

closed ♔ we'll outrun the dawn

for francesca

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