new orleans ♔ now that you've found another key | what are you going to play

[shootfirst]

♬ Baby, You're a Rich Man - Beatles

WHO || Thomas, Gar, Kat, Dumage, Mark, Myri, Buffy, Finnick, Spike, Rafael, Des, Elena Gilbert, Burt, ??, ??, ?? [Closed]
WHAT || The Knights begin a three-prong recon mission to push forward their intelligence operations on NOVA Records
WHERE || NOVA Records HQ, New Orleans
WHEN || Monday, Oct 15th [Forward dated]
HOW || Actionspam, don't sweat tag order!!

[[ Towering above our heroes is the fifteen-story NOVA Record Headquarters, an L-shaped structure tipped with a winged roof, covered in reflective window linings that paint a portrait of the New Orleans skyline across its panels. Foot traffic streams in and out, a parade of Bluetooth wearing suits, women in nine-inch heels, and extravagantly dressed stars surrounded by guards and entourage members.

But the lavish exterior hides a dark secret or two, and the Knights have sworn to shine a light on all of them.

Why is a record company funding a church that supports Shadowkind slavery? What are the 'experiments' for which they're buying up Shadowkind DNA, and how does it relate to the mysterious behavioral-control chip found in the displacer beast released in the museum? And, of course, what do they want with Jade, and what do they know about the Lazarus Talisman's current location?

Answers are rarely straightforward on their journey, and it looks like another complication or two are on the way.... ]

Comments

[slay]

Calling him a "guy" is using the term loosely. Personally, I'd lean towards scum of the Earth. [ buffy shoots him a narrow look. ] How about you start with how you go from sleaze-bag college professor who takes advantage of little girls to lurking around secret corners of Nova Headquarters? Are you working for them?

[nothingsodivine]

[Des jerks his head in Buffy's direction.]

...What? [He turns back to said sleaze.] Dibs.

[snivelling]

[ he fixes his weaselly eyes on buffy, twitching ] Oh, I see now. Is that what she's been telling you? [ he issues a sigh ]

You must know, first of all, that Kathryne is an extremely disturbed young woman, one whom I tried to help despite her history. But she was too damaged by the time I came to know her to make any lasting difference. A violent home life, you see, rather tragic story, and it's made her prone to not only react to the world with violence herself, but for her to be rather paranoid of people's intentions.

[ he offers a wan little smile ] Though if you know her already, I imagine I don't have to tell you that. Her aggressive, defensive nature is probably well evident to any of her friends.

[bigbad]

[Without pause, Spike stalks over and slams his fist into the side of Gilbert's face (atk 26, dmg 10). He's pretty sure this qualifies as resisting. Unfortunately the worm also qualifies as human... technically, so he winces in pain as his head bursts with pain (dmg 2).]

Try again, mate.

[snivelling]

[ the blow is enough to make a crunching sound in his face as it jerks aside... spike knocked a tooth out of the side of his mouth. whining in pain, he spits it out on the floor and stares up at spike in terror ]

I was hired by Mr. Becksworth in New York City, to be his Personal Assistant, after leaving the university following the incident with Kathryne. I was looking for a change of career, and I had the skills he was looking for. After a student attacks you, one loses their joy in teaching.

[nothingsodivine]

Does dibs not mean anything where you're from? [Des gives Spike a dirty look and takes over from here.]

What's a guy who works with buying and selling souls in the entertainment industry want with a teacher? Call me a liar, but I don't think wrangling little boy and girl bands and making sure they don't break curfew is what he's got you doing.

[snivelling]

Well, in that case, you'd be mistaken. I manage his affairs while he deals with certain aspects of the tour he is currently putting together. And it isn't my educational background that makes me invaluable. It's my knowledge and understanding of magic. He likes to know that his ideas won't be encroached on by those with access to it: since he knows his brother isn't beyond corporate espionage of his own sort.

[slay]

Wait. [ she's definitely not going to chastise spike for decking him. pointedly not chastising. ] Let's just clear one thing up now:which Mr. Becksworth is it that you work for?

[snivelling]

Mr. Chad Becksworth. Ever since last year.

[bancroft]

[ thomas speaks up from where he stands behind the others, arms folded, expression dark and serious for once. ] How fortuitous. Then perhaps you can tell us something of this drastic personality change everyone claims your boss has undergone.

[snivelling]

He's hardly the first man in the media business to want to reinvent himself. I fail to see why that's a crime.

[bigbad]

Just answer the question. [He glances over at Des.] It's your turn this time. [He's learned to ~share.~]

[snivelling]

I did. [ though as defensive as he sounds, he flinches when it's spike speaking ] He wanted a new image to compliment the new business model he's using.

[slay]

The business model involving Shadowkind.

[nothingsodivine]

[Des grins, but just lines up a punch to the gut and fakes out (intimidate 18) at the last second.]

Which sounds about like your area of expertise, Professor.

1/-

[snivelling]

[ the professor jerks violently in his seat, wriggling away and looking ready to whine like a dog if des punches him... but uncringes enough to wink an eye open and see he's ok. so far. ]

He's interested in signing some Shadowkind talent!

2/-

[nosdacariad]

Like Eterna Jade? Is that why he sent his goon squad after her?

3/3

[snivelling]

Mr. Becksworth is organizing a launch of a new line of singers, meant to appeal to fans of all genres, as symbolic of the new direction he wants Nova to be taking. Miss Jade is exceptionally talented. Naturally, he wanted her on board.

[bigbad]

So where does the secret bedroom with the evil side room come in? Because that certainly didn't seem to have anything to do with appealing to fans.

[snivelling]

He had the room furnished for his adviser. I still don't know why, she never uses it.

[nothingsodivine]

[Des tenses.] What's his advisor like? Aside from "tall, dark, and culty?"

1/2

[nosdacariad]

Is she the new girlfriend Burt mentioned to Finnick?

[snivelling]

She's not his girlfriend. She advises him in business ventures. She's incredibly intelligent, business savvy, a real sharp one. He doesn't do anything without her input.

[slay]

Did she advise him on his business venture with Angelo Nassi?

1/

[snivelling]

I imagine so? I don't recall the name, but if they've had dealings, I'm sure she gave him advice on it.