CHAPTER TWO ♔ a sigh escapes from heaven and worlds end

[savemyself]

♬ The Dream Within - Lara Fabian

WHO || Rafael Giovanni, Burt Becksworth, Isabella Alessandro, Finnick Odair, Myrilandel de Tanos, Buffy Summers, Spike, Elena Gilbert, Dawn Summers, Desmond Descant, Jeanne Gar, Kat Samcelot, Mark Sandazhard, Violet Fiore, Sterling Archer
WHAT || CHAPTER TWO: Following the traumatic and tragic events of Finnick and Rafael's concert, our heroes are taken to be interrogated at the police station
WHERE || Concert Hall > Chicago Police Department, Chicago, IL
WHEN || July 3rd, 2013 [ forward dated]
HOW || Actionspam

Nothing is okay.

What was meant to be the Knights' triumphant collaborative effort to cut off Chad Becksworth's bid for total control of NOVA Records, allowing them to follow the trail elsewhere, has descended into chaos. Rafael's songs triggered some kind of reaction in Jade that allowed her to regain her lost memories, only to have their reunion cut tragically short by the actions of a hitman who took her hostage on stage, demanding her necklace. While Myri and Violet attempted to convince him that the necklace did not lie with her, Jade signaled to Rafael that she meant to utilize the distraction to break free - but things went out of control and Rafael's bullets struck Jade instead. The Knights felled the hitman, as the world watched, and Rafael begged a distraught and enraged Des to end his life. Meanwhile, a mysterious figure that only Buffy & Spike could see assisted Myrilandel in healing Jade enough to hang on for a little time more...

Time for people to say goodbye.

In the meantime, the police have arrived, arresting Rafael, Archer, and Des (or attempting to), and preparing Jade to be taken to the hospital. Everyone else is being ordered to head outside to be taken down to the station for questioning. It's a hectic scene, but people can finally snatch a few moments amid the chaos to try to make sense of what just happened...

Comments

closed to finnick

[witchwoman]

[Being questioned by the police had taken more time than Myri had hoped. But the reality of it was that she hadn't wanted to go at all, so even if it had been minutes instead of hours, she would have been tapping her foot to leave the whole time. She was confident that they hadn't given too much away, though, and tried to keep that thought as a torch to carry through the rest of the evening.

It was late, but as she rode the elevator up to the hotel room, her mind was racing with many thoughts to think of sleep. Finnick had said he was heading back to the hotel, but what if he had changed his mind? What if whatever had caused him to run earlier in the night had caused him to leave again. What if he would contact her this time? She was going to make herself sick with the possibilities, so she tried to push them away as she opened the door and slowly stepped into the room. The rest of them would be coming soon.

After scanning the living area and the balcony, she moved towards the room they had been sharing for this trip. Seeing the bedroom empty caused her to frown, but it was only a moment later before she noticed the light coming from the bottom of the bathroom door. She stepped closer, one hand reaching for the door knob, but quickly noticing that it was locked. Her free hand knocked lightly on the door.]

Finnick? Are you in there?

[65]

[ as much as he loved myri and wanted to see her again, part of himself was dreading the conversation that would come with it. the longer she took, the more he agonized and built the whole thing up in his head. yes, locking himself in the bathroom seemed kind of crazy, but it seriously was the most private space you could be in, and he didn't feel much like talking to the rest of their rag-tag team if they came back and had ideas about checking up on him. (he definitely didn't want them to. he wanted to somehow pretend he was fine when he was anything but.)

there's a long silence before he drags himself off the floor and pops the lock on the door. he stares down at her looking more like himself than he had at the concert when shit went bananas, but still kind of jittery and anxious. and, notably, he keeps standing there instead of moving to hug her or anything. ]

[witchwoman]

[She stepped back when she heard the lock unlatch, a sigh of relief rushing out of her at the sight of him. Yes, he looked better, but... Something was still wrong. When he didn't step forward to meet her, she hesitated for a moment before stepping towards him instead. She didn't try to touch him, to hold him- She wasn't even sure if he wanted that from her. She simply moved forward enough to clear the door, shutting it behind her and clicking the lock into place.

If it made him feel safer, then that was plenty of reason for her. It was all she needed, honestly.

But there was the pesky matter that he was stone silent. She tried to grasp for what to say, how to start.]

Finnick, I... [She trailed off with a sigh, feeling like nothing even made sense.] Please talk to me... What happened? Why did you leave?

[65]

[he takes a seat on the edge of the tub and stares down at nothing in particular.] There are things about me that you don't know. I didn't want to talk about it, because they're not important — well, they weren't before, but I know you need to know. To understand how I am sometimes.

[witchwoman]

[She doesn't sit at first, not certain what she should do until he starts to talk. This is such new territory with him... He's been so charming and sweet all the times they've interacted. This side of him is shocking in an already shocking situation. As he speaks, she moves slowly and sits beside him. Tentatively, she reaches out and slips her hand into his. Even if he can't look at her, she needs him to know that she's there, that she's listening.]

You can tell me anything. You know that.

[65]

[ ♬ no light, no light - florence + the machine

he squeezes her hand, feeling reassured. he wanted her to initiate the contact, because honestly he still didn't feel much like he deserved it. it makes taking a deep breath and launching into storytime a little easier.]

Where I'm from, there's this ... ritual. The land is split up into different districts, and ruled over by the Capitol. Once, 75 years ago, the districts tried to rebel and failed. The Capitol's way of punishing them was to create an event where, every year, two children would be taken from each district and placed in an area. It's a deathmatch, essentially. Only one can come out alive.

[he's given the description before, that was easy enough. but he'd ever only really shared his inclusion in the process with one other person — his totally dismissive mentor.]

When I was 14, my name was drawn. In my district, we were brought up to think that participating was some huge honor. At the time, I believed it. It's not like I killed all 23 of the other kids, but it's not like my hands were clean either. No one survives by chance. … It leaves a mark.

[witchwoman]

[She closes her eyes briefly when his hand squeezes hers. It means that he's responding to the contact, that he isn't dismissing it. It means that he's still there with her. All these hours, she's been so worried what all this behavior could mean.

She stays quiet while he explains, but as the story continues, she can't help but react. Her free hand comes up to cover her mouth, not wanting to interrupt but having a hard time imagining being children killing one another at the command of a ruling body.]

You... They made you..? [She shakes her head, not able to really articulate with that information still processing. His past wasn't nearly as important as the present. They were connected, of course, but she wasn't sure if he wanted to go into much more detail about what he had been through.]

And today took you back there? Reminded you of that?

[65]

[ hold on gurl he's still got a little bit to go (for this particular chapter of his saga ... ) ] It happened again, right before I ended up here. They drew the names of people who'd won the Games before and made them compete again. I lost the other tribute from my district. She was like family to me. [he shakes his head to dismiss all that before answering her question.]

I felt trapped and I was defenseless at the concert. I guess it makes me a sorry excuse for a knight, but I'd rather survive than play hero. I wanted to leave so much, but I couldn't leave you behind. So I stayed and it was like ... like I'd shut down. I couldn't move. It was all in slow motion. That — it never happened to me before. [he's about five seconds from crying btw.]

[witchwoman]

[To go through something like that once was hard for Myri to imagine, but... twice? It was all she could do to let him keep talking. She wanted to quiet the memories, push them away so that he wasn't haunted by them. Why had the Veil taken so much from some of them and yet left him with this? As he continued, explaining how the fear had paralyzed him, her heart felt like it was shattering.]

I should have gone with you. I didn't know... [Would she have gone though? Could she have walked away from her family in danger in order to keep him safe and sane? The uncertainty is more terrifying than she expected. Here were two things she loved above all else and there was a likely chance that they would be put at odds again. She had made her choice in ignorance but next time? Next time she wouldn't have that excuse, as if she put duty before him again, would it hurt him all the more?

She takes a shaking breath, her free hand reaching up to touch the side of his face. She would do anything to keep those tears at bay, but perhaps they are needed now.]

How could you ever think that? I only wish you might have felt like you could talk to me about this before now...

[65]

[ come on finnick stay strong. he sighs, tilting his head towards her touch. ] I shouldn't have expected you to. You're the real thing, Myri. [ expecting it didn't mean he hadn't been wanting otherwise. or that he had much time to think about it at the time. it tears at him just as much, to think that he would always come second to her sense of duty. he didn't think it was wrong to feel entitled to a little more than that … ]

It was just easier not to talk about it. If I didn't talk about it, or who I was before, no one had to know. I could reinvent myself. Not that that did any good. [ annnnd with a deep breath he begins chapter two of his saga. ]

I mentioned being famous back home a few times before? That was why. Because I was one of the youngest tributes to ever win. And one of the prettiest. [his mouth quirks into wry smile.] The public adored me. I had my image shaped and crafted there, too. As detestable as Burt is sometimes, he could never be that bad. He could never force me to do the things the president did. [even tho he … kind of did. AT LEAST HE WAS NICE ABOUT IT. in his burt way???]

[witchwoman]

[It had been a very long time since she had anyone else in her life so close that they might depend on her. Being a healer made her needed, yes, but not in this way. At the end of the day, a witchwoman was alone, or at least she was until she became a Knight. The thoughts wouldn't stop now, not until she had time to process them, but they also weren't the most important thing to focus on currently.

Part of her is curious to ask just what it is that this president asked him to do, but the rest is terrified to know. If fame started with death, then where did it lead? She knows that he only did what he had to in order to survive, but that doesn't stop a knot from twisting in her gut to think of how much blood is on his hands. Everything in her craves to heal those around her, after all. And while she knows that there are plenty of people out there who deserve to die, she doubts that the children who participated in this event with Finnick could be counted among them. Her hand draws back from his face, settling back in her lap.]

We've talked before about how there are things that might have been better left on the other side of the Veil. But unfortunately, we have no choice what memories are taken from us.

But this is a different world, a better world. I have to believe that.

[65]

There are two other people I know from home, friends [in a fairly tentative sense of the word]. They were victors, too. One of them doesn't remember any of it, and the other remembers parts. Neither remember me at all. It's not fair.

[once, when he talked to haymitch, he said it would have been a luxury to forget. but now, after everything that had happened, after all they experienced with jade, he's not sure he would take the option if offered. he's already missing chunks of his memories thanks to the veil, but what would this change? he didn't want to end up some hollow shell of a person.

he takes the hand of hers he was holding, turns it palm up, and presses his other hand on top of it.]

It's too bad you can't heal what's inside of me. [his tone is a little lighter, but still still misses the mark of levity he was aiming for by a long shot.]

[witchwoman]

[Jade had put perspective for a lot of them on what it meant to remember or forget- how a life could change with just a piece stripped away. As he turned her hand over and spoke again, she shook her head firmly, fighting back her own tears now.]

I wouldn't if I could. [She looks at him, really looks at him. She smiles, despite it all, her words hitching as she struggles to keep her emotions at bay.] These things, this... game they made you play... All of it lead you here. [She lifts the hand that's holding his and pulls it to her chest, resting against her heart.] Perhaps we came through the Veil with exactly what we were meant to carry. And I am sorry for the weight of your burden... I will do what I can to help you, if you'll let me. [Her fingers curl and tighten around his hand slightly.] When I say that I love you, I don't mean just the pieces that are easy or most appealing. I will love all of you for as long as you'll let me.

[65]

I love you, too. I love you more than most anything. [that was the first time he actually said the words; before he'd just put it upon her and essentially said "same." when she begins to look like she might cry, he pulls her in close for a hug. part of him wants to never let go.]


I just didn't want you to think less of me after what happened tonight. I already feel like the rest of our group will. How can they trust me if I freeze up and become useless when they need me most? [he shakes his head, like he's trying to clear his mind of the thoughts.]

[witchwoman]

They'll understand. [She says, muffled against his shoulder as she clings to him. And if they didn't, she would make them. Because she sees the way he's struggled with it, how he worries. She doesn't want to let go but eventually knows that they can't very well carry on a conversation like this. She wipes away a few tears with one hand.]

But the more important question has nothing to do with them. [She takes his hand again because its a question that scares her to ask, for what it might mean for the both of them.] Do you wish to remain here? [On the mission? With the Knights? Myri isn't certain if he wants to put himself in a situation where he might experience the same gripping fear.]

[65]

What? Yes. [he looks taken aback at what she's suggesting.] I couldn't just leave. Not while you're still here. I don't leave things unfinished like that, besides. [but then he hesitates for a moment before adding] I don't know if I could still perform, though. I was looking forward to this being the end of things.

[witchwoman]

I just don't want you to feel like you had to. For me. Of course I want you here at my side but... I would understand if you chose not to put yourself in such a situation. And... [She trails off, as if still debating with herself.] If you wanted to go, I'd go with you.

[The thought of it tears at her, but if she listens to her heart, she knows it would be the only choice she could make. There were other healers Wynn could send to take her place. The role she and Finnick had for one another was not so easily filled.]

[65]

Don't worry, it's not going to happen again. [because he is going to GO REPUBLICAN!!! i.e. stock up on a concealed arsenal like rafael and archer. they have the right idea about things ok. it's like when you get in a giant car accident and can only feel safe when you're driving an suv. ANYWAY there is a hard sense of determination in his voice.] But I think I'm going to stay for now. It means the world that you say you'd go with me. I wouldn't make you, you know.

[witchwoman]

[That will be a conversation for another day... Let's not use Rafael as a role model, Finnick. He kind of got his girlfriend shot today...]

I know you wouldn't. But you wouldn't have to. It's all I've been able to think about since I refused earlier tonight. [But if she had left, Jade might not have survived the night. She still might not, but if she hadn't been there to help at all... Myri takes a deep breath, trying not to let those thoughts confuse her further. She has to make it more simple or she'll find herself all the more confused again.]

Come to bed? The others should be coming back from the police station but I don't think anyone's in much mood to talk tonight. [She hesitates, but decides that asking is better than not at this point.] Will you tell them? The others?

[65]

[she got better ... a little .... kind of??????

he stands, making it clear that yep he's going to bed. even though he probably won't get much sleep after all this shit. not that he ever gets much sleep in the first place. (at least now myri knows why! surprise ...)]

I'd rather not tell them. [yep. i'd rather not tell them. that's all she gets.]

[witchwoman]

[She rises as well, frowning slightly at his response. It wasn't her story to tell, but what good would it do to keep it hidden? But she has no right to argue the matter. In the end, she can only be thankful that he chose to tell her. But she does have one point to make on the subject:]

You said before that you were worried what they thought of you for your actions tonight, that they might think less of you. You can't expect them to understand if you don't allow them the chance to.

[She steps closer to him, pushing up to place a kiss to his check.]

Sometimes bravery has nothing to do with bloodshed.

[65]

[finnick lived 8 years of his life dealing in secrets. secrets are weapons in the right hands. that knowledge, the knowledge of his experience, has always made him reluctant to put all his cards on the table. well, that knowledge and the fact that he could have been killed (or his family could have, more likely) for sharing so much information about himself so freely at home. the paranoia is hard to shake.]

I'll talk about it with them eventually. [if by eventually he means never. (bluff 19)]

[witchwoman]

[She believes him. Part of her doesn't think that she should necessarily... because there's fear in his reaction, but she believes in the good in him, that he wouldn't outright lie to her (sense motive 17). He'll tell them once this all dies down, hopefully. And between now and then, she'll just have to help him if the others ask questions he's not ready to answer. She reaches down and takes his hand before unlocking the bathroom door and opening it to the rest of their room.]

[65]

[look, he might ... someday ... maybe. but that is much longer than what "eventually" implies.

he walks over towards the bed, but doesn't let go of her hand so he's basically tugging her along. he then lets go to flop down on it face-first, because he is just that exhausted and out of fucks. he'll maneuver under the covers ... later ... ]

[witchwoman]

[She's going to worry about him tonight, she knows that much already. Amaranth raises his head from his spot on a nearby chair. She steps towards her familiar, scratching his head lightly, remembering how much comfort his presence could bring her.]

He needs you.

I know... [She whispers back, fighting back tears as she finally lets the weight of Finnick's confession hit her.]

And you need him.

[She only nods this time, smiling through the tears at the way the flywacket bats her hand away to urge her to join Finnick in bed. She complies, even trying to free the comforter enough for him to slip into it as the night progresses.]