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

[graveflowers]

Because I didn't think it was important, not really. And Jade was right, we were messing with something we didn't understand and I thought it was just... karma. She promised not to wear the necklace and I thought that was enough.

[She looks down, its familiar to be disappointed in herself, but to feel that coming from Myri is the worst. Myri who started their friendship with calling them sisters.

Her head shakes, weakly trying to fight back pain.] Jade didn't know, I thought she would be safe.

[witchwoman]

[The problem with loving someone as you would a family member, is that sometimes that love is not as sweet and sugary as other friendships can be. When you care for someone like Myri cares for Violet, then you will yell at them for scaring you like that!

She takes a breath, trying to calm her fears but doing a poor job.]

Listen to me... These people are dangerous. If something happened to you? If you- [Her voice cracks and she shakes her head to push the thought away.] Come on. We'll wake someone. Gar, Kat... We just... I won't let it happen again! They can't take you too.

[And this is what we call a mental breakdown...]

[graveflowers]

[No, she doesn't want Myri to hurt! Which might be the only thing to pull her out of her own fear and grief, at least a little.]

Myri, look at me. [She takes her hand back only to put her hands to Myri's cheeks so she can force the other woman to meet her eyes.] You're not going to lose me, I swear.

[Which she says knowing, still, that she has to find the man. The same way she knew she was going to go looking for him when Finnick was comforting her. Now, though, she has incentive.]

But I don't want to wake anyone up. We can wait until morning. They deserve some sleep.

[witchwoman]

[She doesn't like it. She doesn't like the idea of letting them get any closer to hurting someone that she cares about. And she knows that the others would agree with her, that it was important.]

I can stay with you... [As soon as the words leave her, she looks back towards the door, though. There's hesitation there because the idea of leaving Finnick alone after all that's happened seems so wrong.] Or... You could come back to my room? Finnick isn't- I don't think he should be alone tonight either.

[JUST GONNA SCOOP UP ALL THESE BROKEN BABY BIRDS AND CARRY 'EM TO MY NEST BRB.]

[graveflowers]

[She doesn't think about it, just nods. Comfort from her sister and her best friend, yeah she won't be saying no to that any time soon. Or ever, probably. She reaches to scoop up her blanket. She actually does nest in her blankets, she doesn't want to steal them from the lovebirds.]

Okay. I just wish I... [She cuts herself off with a shake of her head. Not now.]

[witchwoman]

[Yeah, that shit don't fly with Myri. Her brow furrows in concern.]

What is it?

[graveflowers]

It's nothing bad. [She hurries to reassure Myri because well, yeah she could have phrased that aborted thought better. Her expression turns sheepish.] I just wish I could talk to Luthir.

[witchwoman]

Well... you could always call, but it's late here and would be later in London.

[Someone figured out time zones. Kinda.]

Perhaps in the morning?

[graveflowers]

Actually its six hours later there, so its already morning. But, but I don't know if he is even there or, or what I would say, I just. [She sighs, blinking rapidly and looks up at the ceiling. She really doesn't feel like crying again.] I just want to go home. It was easier being alone when I didn't realize I actually was.

[Annnnd she is crying again.] God, I'm sorry

[witchwoman]

[Excuse Myri while she finally crawls into your bed. She moves to sit up beside Violet, leaning back against the headrest. Her arm drapes over the girl's shoulders and she pulls her in, resting her check against the top of her head.]

There's nothing to apologize for. [Because she knows what loneliness can feel like and how it can eat at you. But this is different than simply being alone. This is grief. For however brief they knew each other, Violet had formed a connection with Jade. It seemed only natural to Myri since she and Violet had grown close quickly as well.] I know it hurts, and I wish I could do more. But you aren't alone- no matter how much it might feel like you are. This group became my family, and they could be yours too, if you'd let them.

[graveflowers]

You are my family. And I love you. I would do anything for you, for all of you. But... [She makes a frustrated sort of noise, explaining her feelings has never been her strong suit. If only because she very rarely shares her feelings -- so used to keeping everyone at arms length so that when they died, because death followed Violet everywhere, it would hurt less. She and Jade had barely known each other, but it didn't hurt less.]

Everyone who finds out who my mom is tells me how unusual and special I am, because children of the gods, direct descendants, are so rare. I don't feel special, it doesn't feel like a gift. And then I met Jade and it was like, a tether. Because suddenly I wasn't the only one who was struggling through this greyness, I wasn't the only lost balloon. But now I am again and it is worse than before.

[witchwoman]

[Myri can't really relate, as she doesn't remember her parents at all. But it doesn't stop her from wishing that she could do something to ease Violet's troubles.]

There are others. There must be if we've been able to find both you and Jade by happenstance alone.

But... you must know that it isn't simply your heritage that makes you special, don't you?

[graveflowers]

Of course, I am spectacular and amazing all on my own. [We're not going to talk about how much she doesn't believe that at all, but with her truly amazing bluff of tragic critical failure... well, Myri should be able to surmise as much. The only person to ever call Vi special for being Vi was her dad. And she doesn't have those memories.]

[witchwoman]

Violet... [Okay so maybe Myri knows that she prefers Vi, but it just sort of comes out. She's emotional, give her a break.]

I mean it. I've seen you with the others- You have a way with people, and it isn't something to be taken lightly. What we do here requires a great deal of trust, and I can see how many of the others trust you with this cause. [She reaches across her lap with her free hand and takes hold of Violet's.] You are important for being exactly as you are. Parentage has so little to do with it.

[graveflowers]

[She is used to it now, she will deal.

Her nose wrinkles slightly like she doesn't quite believe it, but she can hear how sincere Myri is.] Okay.

[witchwoman]

[She doesn't have the energy to be more convincing, so she just leans over and kisses the woman's temple.]

Come with me? Perhaps you'll be able to get a bit of sleep this way.

[graveflowers]

Yeah. Maybe Wynn will spontaneously send me an elf for breakfast. [Spoilers: Not on the agenda. She manages a weak smile before grabbing her blankets again. Let's go snuggle.]

Thanks Myri.

[witchwoman]

[She only smiles in response because thanks aren't needed. Quietly, she leads Violet back to her room, trying not to wake Finnick, which is sort of silly because as soon as the door is closed, she speaks softly.]

Finnick?

[65]

[finnick had somehow managed to sleep the sleep of the dead (emotional trauma was more exhausting than anticipated) and tangle himself up into the covers since last seen, so when he hears myri call his name it takes a moment to reorient himself to ... the world. even as he stares at her it's pretty clear he's not 100 percent awake.]

Myri? [and ... is that ... ????? ]

[witchwoman]

[She hates to wake him, especially when he's actually been sleeping, but she doubts it would be better for him to just find Violet in their bed, come morning- or worse, sometime in the night when they were both asleep.]

Vi's going to stay with us tonight. Okay?

[Explaining the rest to him right now seems... silly.]

[65]

[this doesn't seem remotely peculiar to him — maybe it's just the lack of awakeness. she probably could have said "i'm going to cover our bed with citrus fruits" and he still would have said:]

Okay. G'night.

[and with that he rolls over and smashes his face against the pillow again.]

[graveflowers]

[Okay? She looks at Myri.] Are you sure, he looks kind of... out of it.

[witchwoman]

He's just tired. We all are.

[And to prove the point, she headed for the bed and sat on the edge.]

Just don't be surprised if he doesn't remember in the morning.

[graveflowers]

I won't be, but somehow I don't think he will be that surprised. [She shakes out her blanket and wraps it around her shoulders.] He found me last night.

[witchwoman]

[That got a shocked and slightly confused look from Myri.]

He didn't say anything... [All these secrets were going to be the end of her. But tonight wasn't the time. She ushers Vi into bed so that she can follow after her.] Nevermind that... We can discuss it in the morning.