nyc ♔ don't want your hand this time | i'll save myself

[savemyself]

♬ going under - evanescence

WHO || Rafael, Isabella, Kat, Gar, Mark, Buffy, Spike, Elena, Archer, Des, Keijen, Dumage, Nadia [closed]
WHAT || The Knights head to Keijen Blade's NYC club, after Isabella storms off into a trap alone
WHERE || New York City, NY
WHEN || Saturday, March 15th [back dated]
HOW || Actionspam

What has already been a long, eventful night promises to end with a bang. (Maybe a literal one, if Archer has anything to say about it). The Knights' 'night off' at Burt's club was crashed by not only an actual goddess, but also included a visit from Nadia, extending an invitation on Keijen Blade's behalf to come to his club across the city that night.

They smelled an obvious trap, but their debate over how smart it may or may not be to walk into was rendered moot when an emotionally distraught Isabella, having admitted her feelings to a bewildered Rafael to no avail, ran off to the club alone.

Knowing that Blade has a particular interest in Violet, everyone agreed it's for the best she keeps her distance, and she returned to Des' apartment with Finnick and Luthir while the others headed to the address Nadia provided.

Gar, Kat, Mark, and Elena are remaining in the car as back-up, while Rafael, Buffy, Spike, Des, and Archer will be heading inside.

Comments

[slay]

[ okay well buffy has her wits about her enough not to scramble over rafael just to get a hit in on isabella (also because wow that woman can use a sword). even if she's not on team character growth and using feelings over violence with rafael. she's firmly in camp violence.

but he seems to have gotten her to slow down at least, so buffy will steadily lower her hands to her sides, warily looking on and trying to measure what will happen. ]

[narcosynthesis]

[ keijen walks in from above on another balcony that extends over this room, taking in all this with a slight smile. ] Now, why do you hesitate, my dear? Haven't they both hurt you enough? Wouldn't it feel right to put an end to it?

You could drive that sword through both of them. Put an end to this nightmare. Isn't that what you really want? [ his tone is seductively calm, strangely hypnotic, and isabella's resolve looks ready to waver for another second as he focuses his attention down on her. ]

[nothingsodivine]

[Hey, Keijen. How do you like being SHOT AT. Des lifts his gun and fires off a shot (nat 20 atk, dmg 18)]

Gettin' real tired of your lip, you pasty little bitch.

[savemyself]

[ isabella struggles internally against keijen's compulsion, the blade shaking as her hand trembles against the force of her conflict.

but finally, as if with great effort, she lowers it, and then her face crumples, tears half-springing to her eyes as she looks at them with horror. ] Rafael?

[slay]

Yeah. Good. You two tearfully reunite, and I'll, uh. [ she gulps, as if worried that drawing attention to herself will send isa back into the rage-thrall. she turns to start prying at the bars again. ] Work on this. [ str 29 ]

[bigbad]

[IN COMES SPIKE TO... probably lead Archer right to them oops whatever. The cage door opens as he comes closer and he skids to a halt right before entering, getting it to stay open (wis nat 20). He looks around and.... ok, Rafael and Buffy cage fighting Isabella. He really should have known better than to leave them alone. He looks over at Des.]

Want out?

[isisagent]

[Archer breaks through the crowd with a NAT 20 Strength check, and surges down the stairs after Spike.]

Hey! Isn't this a private club, anyway? Don't you have to be like, invited in? Or something?

I am not going to be happy if you jump out at me... Aha! Caught you Nosferatu! [Archer catches a glimpse of Spike, and dives into a headlong tackle. Bull Rush Strength check of 21. Take a swing at him Spike.]

[bigbad]

[Spike like barely moves he just puts his fist out and lets Archer run into it (atk 30 dmg 24). Which is definitely too close to attacking a human for his mysterious headaches to be particularly happy with him. After smashing his fist into Archer's face, he has to duck and cringe, letting out a shout and grabbing his head (dmg 6)]

[savemyself]

[ as buffy rips those fucking bars open, isabella stares past rafael, and then sees keijen up above. she shakes her head. ] His power... I have seen nothing like it. [ she brandishes her sword ] We must get out of here, before he sets us all on each other.

[romanticidal]

[ rafael considers her words, but then steps through the hole buffy has made and looks up to see keijen and his entire face darkens with violent intent, so much for carebears. he raises one of his own guns, standing next to des, so that they create some kind of awesome boondocks saints imagery pointing upwards over here. his shot misses, however, which is REALLY LAME RAF but he is so out of practice give him a break ]

[slay]

Don't take this the wrong way or anything, but ... [ buffy glances over at isabella before turning her attention to stepping out of the cage. ] You're not the only reason we came. [ she begins to scale the cage wall, foisting herself onto the top of it to get herself in closer proximity to keijen and his balcony of evil (climb 19). ]

[narcosynthesis]

[ keijen's head whips aside as des' bullet strikes him right across the face. when he looks back, raising one hand to the blood on his cheek, which he looks down at in disdainful shock. he grits his teeth, a muscle in his face jumping as he glares down at des, raising one long-nailed finger to point at him. ] I think you've more than overstayed your welcome. [ a thin green ray springs from his pointed finger... straight down at des. however, this is just as rafael is moving up beside him -- and keijen's crit failed ranged touch attack amounts to him striking raf with it instead. the disintegration beam burns into his chest, a green pulsing energy seeming to eat away at him as he grimaces in pain, paling as the life is drained away (88 dmg). he drops one gun and manages to reach out and grip des' arm to stay standing, even as keijen narrows his eyes at buffy. ] This isn't over. [ and with his awesome ability to do so as a move action, he steps backwards... into a sudden dimensional doorway that opens up for him - and slams shut the moment he finishes his step, vanishing. ]

[nothingsodivine]

Jesus! [Des presses up against the bars of the cage to catch Rafael before he hits the floor.] That son of a bitch.

[He grimaces.] You shoulda stayed out of the way, Fluffy.

[bigbad]

[Spike's over Keijen now. He beckons to them all from the door he's still holding despite Archer's best attempts.]

We've got to find Dumage.

[THEY'LL SUCCEED AT... ONE THING... he puts his hand on the bars and waits impatiently for them to get out so he can join Buffy on top of the cage.]

[slay]

[ SHARP GASP as buffy whips her head around to follow the beam and watch rafael crumble. she almost moves to jump down from the cage, but stops as she watches des catch him, support him. she clenches her jaw, brow drawn into a worried look.

the mission, though, is what matters. she turns her attention back to the balcony and takes sort of a running start to spring up onto the balcony. her hands clasp the edges and she flips up with olympic ease (Jump 22). ]

I got her.

[ she calls it over the balcony, then makes her hasty exit into the main area of the club where they'd first seen keijen. ]

[isisagent]

[Sounding like he had the wind knocked out of him;]
Nice hit. Guess that's fair... since I shot you. Ugh.

[Archer just kind of lays groaning for a bit, then slowly stands back up, grumbling.]

Remind me to start carrying silver bullets...

[bigbad]

[Spike could point out that silver bullets won't kill him. He's generally pretty open with what will and won't kill him with friends and enemies alike.

But Archer's a crazy person. Really, better for everyone if Archer carries something that can't kill Spike.]

Next time don't get mind controlled.

[romanticidal]

[ rafael keeps a tight grasp on des' arm as he hisses in a sharp breath, watching buffy leap over the gap impressively, worry creasing his brow as well. ] What about Nadia? [ his head swivels around to get confirmation from Spike as to whether she was back there or not. ]

[nothingsodivine]

[Des grimaces.]

No offense to her, Fluffy- she's a real sweetheart- but I think we're all a little out of our league with Blade. And taking Nadia might up our places on his Kill List.

[he glances down at rafael's injuries.] There's some deaths I don't wanna have to come back from.

[bigbad]

Not sure sweetheart's the right word. She threw me off a balcony. It's clear where her loyalties lie.

[Which is to say Spike's JUST FINE with plan leave Nadia here. He's still bitter.]

[romanticidal]

I meant to ask if Buffy would be safe going to find Dumage alone, if she were still up there as well. [ he seems to think twice about that, saying it out loud ] Although, if anyone can handle her--

[nothingsodivine]

It's Blondie. I think she has the girl power covered. [He huffs and steps around Archer so they can... make their dramatic escape. Sorry, Archer. He's sure you're fine.] We need to get you to Vi.

[slay]

[ buffy will now surge up the hallway to move back into the main area of the balcony. let's see if nadia and dumage are still there ... ]

[postergirl]

[ the hallway angles upward, a few offshoots here and there, but it's a straight shot back up towards the other balcony and buffy has the con score to run it easily. a figure moves into view in the doorway arch at the top... and it's dumage, one hand on her hip, disaffected armcandy expression traded in for her usual skeptical cynicism as she says: ] I see you're all still handling things with your usual finesse and flair.

Good to know some things haven't changed.

[slay]

Yeah, I missed you too. [ she rolls her eyes, glancing behind her briefly to check for any sign of someone else still present (though she crit failed her spot check so it's all too hasty). ] So. How do you feel about kidnapping?