chicago ♔ but close my eyes for a while | and force from the world a patient smile

[shootfirst]

♬ Evil - Interpol

WHO || Spike, Francesca, Archer, Myri, Finnick, Elena, Buffy, Des, Gar, Mark, Kat, Rafael, Isabella, Jaka, Burt, Violet, Luthir, Val'drin, ??[Closed]
WHAT || The Knights prepare for the trial of Rafael Giovanni and face a few revelations along the way
WHERE || Various locations, Chicago
WHEN || July 17th - November 21st  [Back AND Forward dated]
HOW || Actionspam, don't sweat tag order!!


The trial of Rafael Giovanni looms on the horizon, as summer gives way to fall, the chill in the air creating a definite atmosphere of foreboding as the date grows closer. It's not merely Rafael's freedom on the line after all - but also Des', thanks to the deal he struck with Iscariot. While Francesca and Val'drin work to uncover the secret of the mysterious hourglass artifact, lawyer Jaka Teken'Duis uses his ... unique legal powers to work towards a "Temporary Insanity" case for Rafael. The Knights, unhappy about the potential ramifications of such a plea, continue to seek any evidence they can to show Rafael was actually innocent, and place conspiracy charges back on Chad Becksworth and his ilk for what transpired. Not everything they learn, however, is what they were hoping to find...

Others wage more personal battles, as the coming autumn signals the encroaching winter, and Luthir and Violet's time draws shorter to find a way to stop her nightmares, lest they kill her. Elena plays a dangerous game, working to uncover more of her nature by training her doppelganger powers - with the enemy.

This log covers any work and non-work related shenanigans the Knights have while staying in Chicago, immediately following the three mission logs and continuing for four months. This will be the Knight's last time in Chicago before the trial: after which they plan to return to the castle to fully Knight Violet and Dawn and decide where to head next.

Make your own threads, don't fuss about tag order, feel free to threadjack multiple people into one thread for hang-outs, ask me if you want a certain scene with an NPC, etc. forever whatever. There will be a few group scenes, which I'll alert everyone to on Plurk. They may not all be posted immediately, so keep an eye on this post for new threads as time goes by. Please wait to post social threads here until we reach a certain point in the top group thread. I will alert you all when you are free to post.

Comments

[notaroundme]

But you guys have been okay? Safe?

[She's been worried, okay? She worries about you two all the time. :|]

I don't think we've ever felt totally alone. Wynn called shortly after it happened, which was...nicer than I expected it to be, though it'll be nice to be able to go back whenever we get the chance. [She smiles.] But I think we'll still totally take the excuse to see you.

[dragonsclaw]

We've been playing things with a very cautious hand, which is the only way to approach Andres. If either of us were discovered, we'd likely not make it off the island.

[ but that's a dark subject ] Jeanne tells me you'll be fully initiated, following the trial. Congratulations.

[notaroundme]

And that's something no one wants.

[So much no. Stay safe guys. :|

Change of subject has her smiling.]

Thanks. It's an honor, but honestly I've never felt like I wasn't already one of them, so I don't think it'll change things too much. It'll just be official.

[dragonsclaw]

Have you given consideration to which section you desire to join?

[notaroundme]

I've thought about it. A lot, actually. And I think that I'd probably be best in the Dragon's Tongue.

[Even if Dumage is there too. :|]

[chessing]

A perfect fit, I imagine, particularly given your latent... abilities.

[notaroundme]

[Instant discomfort yay. But she hides it...pretty well. (Will save 17)]

News travels fast I take it?

[dragonsclaw]

Jeanne's had to keep me briefed on developments in the mission... I apologize if you had hoped for more discretion. She certainly didn't mean to impede upon your privacy, but it is important information for us to be aware of.

[notaroundme]

No, it's not that. It's fine. Everyone should know.

[She's not trying to keep it a secret, exactly.]

It's just tough being the one people are talking about, I guess.

[chessing]

I don't know that I would exactly say that.

[notaroundme]

[Her eyebrows raise questioningly.]

What do you mean?

[dragonsclaw]

Other members of your party have made some... interesting choices as well. Or found themselves in unique situations.

[notaroundme]

[She gives him a half smile.]

We're a unique group, what can I say?

[dragonsclaw]

I imagine that's precisely where your strength lies, as well.

[notaroundme]

I just hope we're done with all the secrets.

[She's partially guilty too, even if it was only a secret for a few days.]

[chessing]

Hopefully so, although it's difficult to begrudge anyone for keeping them when they were generally to protect someone.

[notaroundme]

No, believe me, I get that. Completely.

[But there's been a lot of confessing going on around here. She's also sad there's a reason to keep them at all. It generally doesn't mean good things.]

[dragonsclaw]

It's why Wynn made the decision to keep the information from you all that we did as well.

[notaroundme]

[She nods.]

If there's anything I've learned though, secrets don't always do what they're intended for.

[It didn't keep Jade safe, and Mark's family was still in danger. And if she'd disappeared, people would have come looking for her and gotten hurt.

She just hopes she remembers these facts if they ever come up again...]

[dragonsclaw]

That they don't. [ he smiles grimly ] I suppose we all need to continue to learn how to trust each other.

[notaroundme]

We're getting there.

[Little by little. The hardest part is trusting in that they can take care of one another, even when the bad stuff happens.]

[chessing]

Nothing worth attaining was ever a simple matter.

[notaroundme]

Ain't that the truth.

[She exhales, smiling again.]

I shouldn't keep you, though. I'm sure you have people you need to talk to.

[dragonsclaw]

It was good to see you again, Sir Gilbert. Congratulations, once again. I hope I can be present for the celebration.