CLOSED ♔ knighting ceremony

[koraith]

WHO || Wynn, Finnick Odair, Koraith, Hasmed, various members of the Dragon's Tongue, Finnick's invited guests [closed]
WHAT || Finnick's full Knighting ceremony; induction into the Dragon's Tongue
WHERE || Knight's Headquarters, the Great Hall
WHEN || DECEMBER 10th, evening BACKDATED
HOW || Actionspam

Unlike the grandiose nature of the squiring ceremony each Knight undergoes upon their initial entrance into the Knighthood, the graduation to Full Knight status takes place in a much more intimate affair, between the Knight, their mentor, invited friends, and the members of the sect to which they will be inducted. There's no pompous music, no stolid rank and file, no elaborate march.

Hasmed, Wynn, and Koraith wait up at the front of the room for Finnick to approach them, but the attitude of the ceremony is much more relaxed, full of smiles and light conversation on all sides. Of course, when Wynn speaks, people still hush. It's just how he rolls.

"Sir Finnick Odair, please kneel."

Comments

[wynn]

I had no idea that you were accepting employment from the Hoffman Institute. I'm simply pleased that there wasn't more of an incident when our goals collided.

[nothingsodivine]

There might've been, but the girl leaves an impression. [om nom finger sandwich.] Things turned around for me and your kids when they found out I didn't take my payment. I'm doing all this on my own dime now.

[wynn]

There's no need for that, you know.

[nothingsodivine]

No need for what? Dashing heroics or the assistance? 'Cause you know me, Wynn. You know I don't go in for the hero crap. I wanna keep the girl safe, because I know what happened to the last person I know who tangoed with the Talisman. [That's absolute bullshit and Des doesn't even try to bluff. He goes for another sandwich.] And the Talisman's what's really important. I help you- you guys might just help me.

[wynn]

[ wynn gives a secretive little smile as he mildly says: ] Actually, I was referring to financing yourself. [ :) but you can keep spilling out all your personal feelings, it's ok. he just brings it out in people. ] Speaking of helping you.

[nothingsodivine]

You're like a guy determined to get a prom date with the head cheerleader. [YEAH, WHAT IS RESPECT.] I like my status to remain unaffiliated and I don't play well with others in an official capacity. We've been over this. A lot.

[More eating.] Why don't you invite Rafael. Maybe you can teach the son of a bitch how to not shoot his friends.

[wynn]

There will be a time to speak to Rafael, when he is less caught up in personal concerns, perhaps. But you misread my intentions. I meant to offer financial support for your endeavors in an unofficial capacity. Not expecting anything in return: merely because I respect your ability to get results, and this is a matter of great importance to me.

[nothingsodivine]

[Des smirks around a chipmunk-cheeked mouth full of food.] In my defense, we do have that conversation a lot. [Annd swallow.] I think I can get behind that. I've got a lead on some snake cult in New Orleans while Finnick and Burt play footsie. Either they're related to everything or they're not, but if they're not and I turn up anything that might benefit you guys... I'll let you know. We'll be square.

[wynn]

Consider it a deal. I'd ask you to shake on it if your hands weren't so full. [ aka if you didn't hate official promises of any kind ]

[nothingsodivine]

[Des just... continues to grin. He knows what Wynn means, but he's going to pretend it's about his being a fatty.] For the record, the food here is amazing. My compliments to the Chefs of the Silver Dragon.

[wynn]

Not everyone's willing to put their life on the line. We offer service positions to those displaced looking for a home.

[nothingsodivine]

And the Veil does not discriminate between warriors and pastry chefs.

[wynn]

It's a mutually beneficial situation. There isn't always magic in this world, and a castle doesn't take care of itself.

[nothingsodivine]

You're good people, Wynn. I'd pat you on the back, but you might bite my hand off. [He has SOME tact.]

[wynn]

It would grow back.

[nothingsodivine]

That's debatable. I've never tried it. But if someone chops something off and it grows back, it'll convince those lizard bastards in New Orleans I'm on the up-and-up. The things I do for a job.

[wynn]

You're a very dedicated man, Descant. I admire that about you, no matter how much you wish to deny it in yourself.

[nothingsodivine]

Dedication's never been my problem, Wynnston. [He forces a smile, but it's a pained one.] You get a job, you blind yourself to everything else except the endgame. That's how I get it done.

[And maybe that's why he's so invested in Eterna Jade. Because she's the exact kind of collateral damage that comes out of these situations, because he didn't care enough about people like her and stayed too focused on the objective, they got hurt. Often, even killed.]

[wynn]

Somehow I think you have more of a sense of personal honor than you let on. Would you be willing to sacrifice others if it meant accomplishing your goal?

[nothingsodivine]

[♪Blue Light of the Flame- Dar Williams]

Way to ask the hard-hitting questions. [He sticks his tongue in his cheek.] I don't do it intentionally. Does that count as willing or do I get a pass on it because it all came down to the fact that I just wasn't careful enough?

[wynn]

I'd say intent is the more important quality to consider, in this case.

[nothingsodivine]

Intent doesn't mean much when people are still dead at the end of the day.

[wynn]

It means everything to the men left alive who have to live with what was done or not done.

[nothingsodivine]

Spoken like a man who's brought a few too many home in pine boxes.

[wynn]

One is too many. But it's an inescapable part of what we do.