new delhi ♔ but in all chaos there is calculation | dropping glasses just to hear them break

[behindcloseddoors]

♬ Glory + Gore - Lorde

WHO || David L., Alex K., Andie, The Doctor, Natasha, Alex U., Shulin Desai
WHAT || The Knights hunt the Decanter of Dionysus
WHERE || New Delhi, India
WHEN || June 7th, 2014, evening.
HOW || Actionspam. Single thread.

Talk about a soiree.  The team has walked into what is clearly legitimately a Gatsby party, but with an Indian flair.  Even upon approach, it's easy to see that this place is without parallel:  people are driving cars right up on the lawn of the fabulous mansion, which looks half-modern and half like a palace out of a Bollywood film.  Men and women in bright colors, fabrics, beads and silks move inside en masse, and as the doors are opened before them, they can see the grandness of the interior, with its diamond garland, draped fabrics, giant jeweled elephant statues, indoor trees that arch to the ceilings, twirling dancers, and a tall dramatic staircase leading up to a balcony above where the host himself reclines surrounded by admirers and friends, smoking a cigar.  

Liquor flows freely, and food is carried around on golden trays through the crowds.  It's an overwhelming buffet for the senses, a dizzying spectacle of color, laughter, dancing, and entertainment.  

Comments

[krasnayapautina]

[Kicking off her shoes and picking them up -- because it's hard to move as fast as she'd like to right now in the kind of shoes she had picked for this evening -- Natasha starts towards the exit of the kitchen. Her turn is going to be hauling as much ass as she can to get to the location where shit is currently Getting Very Real. There's nothing left to do in the kitchen, not now.]

[asap]

[??? Andie doesn't text back because THAT SEEMS BAD. Instead she just runs up to the trophy room and oh man does she ever wish she had brought a sword.]


What... what the hell? Who--

[THIS IS NOT WHAT SHE HAD WANTED. She looks around (spot 17) hoping that there are some weapons in the trophy room (like a rapier it's ok if there are diamonds in the hilt) she just... really doesn't think she can take four identical creeps at once barehanded.]

[generaldavideus]

[You and David both, Andie. You and David both.

David, on the other hand, is looking up at this guy like he wants to punch him in the face, which he does but he won't. (Yet.) He just moves through the crowd, trying to make his way through the crowd to the stairs (dexterity 13).]

Hey! Excuse me!

[He waves a hand, smirking slightly as he goes.]

Who is saving us, exactly?

[Draw attention to him, keep it off the other innocent people in the room. That's the plan. And maybe get close enough to see if he can distract him enough that someone can grab the decanter.

Probably by punching him in the face.]

[divisional]

[Lights out. Shit getting real? Alex chooses not to run head first into the action but moves as quickly as she can, taking up a position where the hall that leads from the kitchen opens out into the main area to try and scope things out without drawing attention to herself. (Hide 17. Spot Check 22.)]

[jotun]

[ with spot and listen at 34, neither alex is really successfully hiding from loki. on the other hand, neither has done anything to cause them to stand out in the crowd of frightened partiers either. natasha and alex both reach the threshold of the main room and are able to lean around it to see the flames lighting drapery and rugs.

desai is inexplicably gone, and a pile of ashes stands near five different lokis, all standing in a tight cluster. they continue to step forward to where david questions him at the bottom of the stairs, all in unison, and their voices ring out like an echoed chorus. ]

I am Loki of Asgard.

[ in the trophy room, andie finds a short sword that's dulled for display with jewels embedded in its hilt. not, perhaps, functional for swordwork, but as useful as any of it for bludgeoning.

in reply to the doctor, loki persists beyond his introduction. ]

Do I not bring glad tidings? I have freed you from the blind service to a man without ambition.

[ambitionist]

[alex k. legit rolls his eyes. and pulls out his gun. that's it that's the action because i am a tool and none of my characters have quick draw. not that he's actually going to aim it at any of the five lokis right now anyway. he just wants to be prepared because he doesn't like the sound of any of this. he ~freed them from service~ then ... locked the doors so no one could escape. you're not a khaleesi, loki. :| ]

[bowtimeandspace]

[ the Doctor takes a step towards the five Loki's. Focus on drawing their attention while the others gather themselves. ]

And what about your ambition? What might that be?

[krasnayapautina]

[Oh, flames lighting things, lovely. Well ... yeah, screw it, she's doing this barefoot; she drops her shoes, and pulls her dress skirt up some so that she can reach her glock 26 gun that she's got strapped to her leg. Once she's got it in her hands, she's not going to make any secret of trying to hide it, also opting to hold it out in front of her, though safely pointed down for now. She'll see how quickly that changes. She'll hold off on getting closer for now, not wanting to do anything too quickly so as to avoid doing something too stupid.]

[asap]

[Awww yes, a sword! Andie grabs it and zips down to the main room, keeping her distance for now since she can generally close the distance faster than anyone else, and... trying to decide which Loki to attack. But there's no violence going on yet so it seems like she may as well use the time to figure out what the hell to do with this guy.

Who, she has to admit, has a pretty awesome outfit. Like, she's just saying, if he's gonna be an evil slave goblet stealer, at least he's doing it in style.]

[generaldavideus]

[And then David's just going to ... laugh. A lot. Though it fades after a moment and he holds up his hand.]

Sorry, I'm sorry.

[Though that's to ... the Doctor, not Loki. He's not apologizing to Loki for anything. Ever.]

I just have a hard time believing that Loki can actually save us from anything.

[divisional]

[Alex's eyebrows scoot up her forehead at that introduction (Knowledge 20 total), knowing the name but not quite sure whether to believe it or go with this being the worlds most psychotic practical joke; A guy with a god complex and not an actual Demi-god. Then again... Division. Why did anything surprise her?!

Given how real shit just got though, she's going to hang back and watch, withdrawing her gun from her dress to be on the safe side and stares at Captain. Stupidity Leak as he starts laughing. Seriously. Anyone ever tell him not to poke the bear?]

[jotun]

[ With a 32 spot, Loki catches sight of Natasha’s gun—and subsequently, Natasha herself. A slow smirk mounts in his expression, but he’s effectively distracted by David. He scans the faces of David, the Doctor, and Natasha, though as of yet he seems to have no idea that the others are with them. Those three can make a will save! ]

You have been deceived by your host. [ he moves down the stairs without fear of reaching threat range of david—he stops about ten feet up. His attention returns to Natasha. ] But perhaps that’s why Agent Romanoff thought to bring her weapon. [ Natasha can make a second will save. These are for different things, so please note both in plurk! I’ll let you know how to proceed. He locks eyes with her. ] You’ll have no need of it here. Bring it to me.

[ambitionist]

[ so either this clown knows natasha from somewhere else ... or he can read her mind. alex is actually assuming the latter bc the former sounds too bizarre and natasha would have had more of a reaction to him OBVIOUSLY. he gets the feeling that loki's doing some weird mind voodoo on her (wis 18) to get her to bring over her gun, but he's not gonna yell STOP NO DON'T DO IT bc his official new plan is ... to shoot the loki that takes her gun. y e p. actual mastermind alexander karamazov. (unsure) he also moves to the base of the second floor before the stairwell so this was an actual tag with action in it he can get a better look at what's happening.]

[bowtimeandspace]

[ The Doctor's eyes scan quickly between the band of Lokis and Natasha across the room. He can see the gun, and oh that's about the last thing they need, isn't it? Waving a big old steak in front of the slobbering thing with giant teeth.

He takes a step forward, just the one, and sets a hand out. Alex, it's probably a good idea he doesn't know what you're thinking or his action here might be SMACKING YOU. ]

Come on. Why don't you do what Loki here is asking. Nobody else needs to get hurt here, do they? [ He's addressing both Natasha and Loki, (diplomacy 30) and really, no, Loki? As in Loki? At any other time he might be excited. ]

[krasnayapautina]

[She would have had some comment to make to the Doctor in reply to that, but as soon as this Loki of Asgard guy said her name, that had surprised her enough considering she has no memory of never met this guy before. OKAY THEN.] I'm not wearing a nametag; want to share how you know my name? [Her will save of 12 means she's feeling herself compelled to follow his instruction, so she does as he tells her and walks over to hand over her gun to him.]

[asap]

[Yeah, Andie's holding her action. She's pretty sure that Loki taking Natasha's gun isn't good and even more sure that they're not gonna get out of this without bloodshed, but hey, if the Doctor thinks he can talk him down, it's worth a shot, right? She bounces in place, chewing her lip nervously.]

[generaldavideus]

[Yeah, Doctor, David has a million stories for you about why you really shouldn't be excited. He watches as Natasha brings her gun forward and wishes, again, that he had his sword.

But for right now he's keeping his mouth shut and staying put because as much as he wants to instigate him further, he knows that the Doctor is making the right play (will save 19). He is apparently being a paragon of self control tonight.

Up until the moment where he doesn't want to be anymore.

It's not like there's really anywhere for him to move to anyway, he wants Loki's attention to stay where it is. So he doesn't move.]

[divisional]

[Yeah no. Everybody in a holding pattern pretty much, though Alex keeps her eyes on the Goblet of Fire decanter (Spot 20 total - If I even need one cause he's just ya know, holding it).

One issue at a time however, like if this guy can casually talk the redhead into handing over her gun without speaking, exactly how screwed is everyone in this room?!]

[jotun]

Ah. You don’t recall? The Veil can be such a tricky bit of magic.

[ He grins widely as he takes the gun from her, as if it were offered freely as a gift, hands brushing against hers as he does. The spell ends the instant the gun moves to his hands, offering her a moment of clarity (or perhaps merely confusion, as she realizes she has been ensorcelled, if her wisdom check is over 12).

As he turns the gun over in his hand, he continues to speak, fitting it in his grip and considering the side of the barrel, not pointing it at anyone in particular, but rather determinedly avoiding letting it point towards anyone. ]

It appears we have a great deal of catching up to do. I believe you’ll agree. [ Natasha’s will save of 18 is just barely too low to avoid the thrall that twists around her with his words, compelling her to follow the course of action he suggests next. ]

The Doctor is right, you see. [ Sorry, John Smith. Hope you weren’t holding too tightly to that code name. Courtesy of Natasha and the Doctor’s failed will saves, he knows that they’re together—and (most of) who’s with them. Aren’t surface thoughts just a bitch? ] There is no need for this soiree to end in blood. Come with me, and I will leave your friends in peace.

[ He makes a welcoming gesture with the gun in his right hand, offering up the space beside him. His eyes jump to Andie, David, and the Doctor in the crowd. Alex K is out of his periphery and Alex U is not so easily identified as a threat. He settles on pointing the gun at David. Look where mouthing off gets you. ] Refuse, and I may reconsider that benevolence.

[ambitionist]

[alex k pays attention to which loki takes the gun before it fragments into five lokis holding a gun — and fires his own at that loki's head as soon as he starts pointing that shit at david. fuq u, bro. (ranged atk 22; 9 dmg if it hits) WE ARE NOT NEGOTIATING WITH TERRORISTS.]

[bowtimeandspace]

[ There's a slight bristle as Loki uses that name but then that fades because ohh yeah great, Alex, just wonderful. Because shooting a guy who has the ability to split himself into five is probably akin to him being poked with a fork.

His urge it to protect people, and so as soon as the shot rings, he bounds forward, moving out in front of David, ready to take the hit should Loki fire the gun. ]

[jotun]

[ Alex's bullet hits — it buries deep into Loki's shoulder, piercing straight through his golden armor. In an instant, his countenance cracks and crumbles like an overburned log of firewood. Light bursts through the cracks and the image disappears, leaving only four Lokis remaining. ]

[bowtimeandspace]

[ He turns his head towards where Loki flickers to nothing. One down, but he doubts it's a good thing. How to anger a demigod in one easy step. ]

Don't shoot!

[ He calls out loudly, and it's to just about everyone in the room. Not going to end well for anybody. ]

[krasnayapautina]

[(wis 14)] [After the spell ends, she doesn't get much of a chance to speak again -- which, since it's her, means sass back and tell him that he's really not the kind of guy she wants to go hang out with and get a beer vodka with -- or even try taking the chance to because ALSO NO THANKS, before more words are influencing her. Doing as he commands, she moves to stand beside him. Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck this is probably gonna be the worst roadtrip ever.]

[asap]

[Yeah, sorry Doctor, you had your chance. Andie doesn't see this ending without shooting. To be fair, though, she doesn't have a gun. Instead, she runs up to the Loki clone that Natasha's standing next to while screaming and swings the sword at his head (atk 16, dmg 5 if it hits).]