chicago ♔ it’s a tragedy to be left only with memories

[savemyself]

WHO || Failboat and friends [Closed]
WHAT || As the trial drags on, the Knights spend their last few months in Chicago and tensions mount
WHERE || Various locations, Chicago
WHEN || November 21st - The end of the trial?? [Back AND Forward dated]
HOW || Actionspam, don't sweat tag order


Everybody loves a media circus and the trial of Rafael Giovanni is no exception. If he was famous before, in the days following the shooting, now he's all people are talking about, and all the tabloids want to focus on. The complications presented at some of the early hearings by Jaka, regarding the identity of the Black Scourge and Rafael's alleged reaction have only made the story more appealing to the millions watching.

They've also caused the trial to drag out for months as facts are checked, evidence is poured over, and the jury becomes only more split on the issue. In the meantime, the holidays fly by, and one of the most terrible winters in years blankets Chicago in blizzards.

This log covers any work and non-work related shenanigans the Knights have while staying in Chicago, immediately following the last log and continuing for the next couple 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 Elena 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.

Comments

[socialgraces]

[ wow, that feels like a punch to the gut, but she's quick to push her own uncertainties aside, following him into the warmth ] Do you think yourself able to become that person again? Is that what you want?

[65]

I don't know what I want. [a soft, almost-chuckle escapes from under his breath.] Maybe for people to stop asking me what I want.

[socialgraces]

I think that's a valid request.

I... I understand what it's like, to be so unsure of yourself. No matter where you turn, nothing's like it used to be, and you don't know how to change, or even if you would, should you find a way.

And everyone's pushing for answers, as if you haven't asked yourself the same questions over and over again, to no avail.

[65]

That's exactly what it's like. [wow walking is an adventure. he'll be glad when they make it to her room.] I wish I could just make it all go away, but I can't.

[socialgraces]

[ she has amazing reflex saves, so she can catch him if he stumbles, even though she might not have the strength to hold him up. she'll stay close, just in case, and take the path with the least obstacles until they reach the hallway. ] You said before, when we spoke of Katniss's decision, that you would never want to lose what memories you had because they made you who you were. I don't think the point is to make any of it go away, but rather to find some way to grow from it and move past it.

[65]

[in the saddest, most defeated voice] But how do I do that, Francesca?

[socialgraces]

[ his voice causes a deep ache in her chest and she stops abruptly, turning to look up at him, her face clouded with emotion. Then she reaches for him, the need to comfort him overwhelming her as she wraps her arms around him.

After a few moments she speaks up again, mumbling against him: ] I'm going to help you, however I can. We're going to figure this out. I promise.

[65]

[he just stands there for a moment before becoming an active participant in the hug, arms going around her. the most he can manage to force out is a small] Okay.

[socialgraces]

I'm sorry, I don't usually... [ she pulls back slightly, a little baffled by her own reaction, but the physical reassurance feels nice ] Let's just get to my room and I'll make you some coffee... to warm you up. And we'll talk, as little or as much as you want, alright?

[65]

Sure. [he doesn't feel like talking a whole lot, but he does like coffee ... and francesca ... and not being cold.]

[socialgraces]

[ she gives him a weak smile, pulling away fully now and leading him to her door, sliding her key card into the lock and opening it for him ] You should sleep here too, at least tonight. It's somewhere safe, and private.

[ she closes the door behind him and leaves him to get comfortable as she makes up some coffee ] Back home, when you were faced with such stress and trauma, how did you deal with it?

[65]

[he nods at her offer to sleep in her room before answering:] Not well. [he then gets comfortable on the edge of her bed.] I mean, I didn't drink — I knew a lot of people who went through the same things and did. But I could just repress it. Bury it. I think it was easier because I was so young when the most traumatic things happened to me.

[socialgraces]

What gave you hope to carry on then that you don't have now?

[65]

I don't remember. [he shakes his head. it's rare — rarer now, anyway — that he stumbles onto a hole in his memory, but this one is like a gaping crevasse.] It must have been hope, I think. Hope that things would get better someday. Or ... I don't know.

[socialgraces]

[ slow-drip coffee makers are the most annoying, so she's just gonna take a moment to divest all her winter gear while it brews ] And you don't have that now? You don't think anything will ever be better? That this is... it? [ she sounds sad as she says that, but it's not out of sympathy ]

[65]

Maybe, but that time feels so far away right now. ... And I thought I'd have Myri with me in the end.

[socialgraces]

[ she pauses in her movements, fixing her eyes on him again ] What happened with Myri?

[65]

She wanted to talk, because she was worried about me. I tried to explain it to her, but I couldn't. And she just ... [he shakes his head] she kept pushing. She said being around me was hurting her, and that she didn't know if she could keep doing it. And all I could say was "then don't." [he then starts cradling his head in his hands.] I never wanted to hurt her.

[socialgraces]

[ she shucks her coat the rest of the way off and moves to sit beside him on the bed, bringing her hand up to his arm ] Do you think you'd hurt her either way? If you tell her the truth, about everything, do you think that would push her away as well?

[65]

[he leans into her as she sits beside him.] I always felt like it would, maybe that's why I didn't. But I was trying. I thought maybe if I could just dole out pieces at a time, maybe there wouldn't be such an impact.

[socialgraces]

You don't think she should be able to decide that for herself - whether or not it's too much for her to handle?

[65]

[begrudgingly — because he doesn't particularly like admitting he done fucked up] Maybe you're right.

[socialgraces]

I'm not saying just laying all your secrets out for her will necessarily win her trust back, but it might be a step in the right direction. If that's still what you want, when the time comes.

[65]

I'll think about it. It just seems like ... so much.

[socialgraces]

Only you can decide if it's worth it or not. But not tonight, okay? [ she gives his arm a squeeze, rising from the bed again to go grab that coffee ]