briefing ♔ just caught in the undertow

[wynn]

  Au Revoir - OneRepublic

WHO || Wynn, Buffy, Myri, Finnick, Spike, Kat, Gar, Archer, Des, Rafael, Fred Jr., Dumage  [Closed]
WHAT || Andres Mission Briefing
WHERE || Knights HQ, lobby etc.
WHEN || August 14th [forward dated]
HOW || Actionspam. Single thread, don't worry about maintaining tagging order.

Ceding to the demands of psychotic despots isn't exactly something the Knights prefer to do.

Perhaps this is why Wynn has taken his sweet time in arranging the group that Dimitris Sarandis has insisted on speaking with, the 'only ones' to whom he has agreed to deliver his demands for the safe and secure return of Dragon's Claw Sir Thomas Bancroft.  The meeting is finally scheduled, and as promised, Rafael has flown in from America to participate, picked up by Des en route to the castle.  Kat, Myri, Buffy, Finnick, Archer, and Spike had one of Myri's 'family failboat dinners' together, and as such, have wandered out of the dining room together in the direction of the lobby after Buffy received a text from Rafael that they were there.  Raf and Des are just pushing open the doors as they make their way across the tiled floor.

Comments

[nothingsodivine]

[Well, Kat and Fred's "flirtation" breaks Des out of his grim mood. He gives Kat a knowing look and then goes eyes forward again, though he still can't bring himself to look at Wynn. Even the back of his head is disheartening.]

[wynn]

[ wynn's footsteps echo down the hallway ahead of them, and he walks to the far end of the round table while they file in and take their seats. kat sits next to gar, and jack sits on the opposite side.

wynn doesn't so much as look at any of them, jaw tight as he waits for everyone to grab a seat before he finally raises his gaze to sweep across them all. ]

The severity of our current situation and the unfortunate events that have transpired of late are no excuse for breaching the protocols that have held this organization together for centuries. If anything, these difficulties only reinforce the necessity of holding onto them in the face of what would seek to tear down this edifice, to dismantle our Knighthood from within.

[ his eyes dart to sir chessing, narrowing momentarily ] But we will speak on that after discussing the terms of your mission to the Isle.

[slay]

[ Aight no. No we will not speak on that after discussing any terms, because Buffy doesn't know how to stop herself when she's feeling righteous. ]

I think your attitude's a lot more likely to dismantle things than one kiss.

[ Fucking drama queen over here.

It doesn't seem to occur to Buffy that maybe she should have held that in, either, because even moments later, she's still looking baffled and perplexed that Wynn is for fucking real right now rather than meek and apologetic. Hell naw. ]

[wynn]

[ gar looks absolutely horrified by buffy's outburst, while wynn looks unshaken in his angry resolve, cutting a look over at her. ] This is about much more than that, Sir Summers. This is about a commitment Sir Chessing has made, to his position, and his duties. He's sworn a solemn oath, one he seems to have decided to ignore, despite understanding precisely why it was taken in the first place.

[slay]

[ can't stop won't stop. ]

I wasn't there the day Jack became a Dragon's Claw, but I remember my oaths. To be generous. To listen to and respect everyone. Not just the people who agree with me, or do what I tell them to. I don't see a lot of that going on here.

[ in fact she is not sitting down at the table quite yet because she's not here for this bs. ]

No one is getting hurt here. No one's in danger, no mission's been jeopardized ... [ she gestures loosely in front of her abdomen with her hand as she lists those items off. finally, she looks up at wynn and shakes her head. ] You're not mad because of some oath or because he's not doing his job. You're mad because you're not controlling him.

[ at least, that's how it reads from here. ]

1/-

[wynn]

This is neither the time nor place to have this discussion, Sir Summers. [ the words carry a certain emphasis, the title a reminder of her position in this room. ] If you wish to say something, I am more than willing to hear you out, following your briefing.

[dragonsclaw]

[ ♬ numb - linkin park

jack, who hasn't said a word since all this went down, straightens up finally, at buffy's insistent diatribe, and says in very measured tones: ] I've something to say on the matter, if it's all the same. [ despite the politeness of the words, jack doesn't sound as if he's willing to take 'no' for an answer here. he raises his eyes to look very firmly at wynn. ] Something, perhaps, that should be settled before you proceed.

Wynn is right, Buffy, about the oath of the Dragon's Claw office. I knew what it was upon accepting the position, and thought myself capable of fulfilling every article of it, at that time. I agree with Wynn that the integrity of the office is important, that whether or not this particular... transgression, as it were, is damaging or dangerous is not the point at hand.

A Dragon's Claw is meant to be a manifestation of an ideal, a limb of the Knighthood whose sole existence is to meant to further its aims. [ he looks back to wynn ] But given that you are the leader of this organization, it is obviously within your right to set the standards of this office. If you truly believe, however, that what I have done mars the integrity of those standards in some way, then I can only conclude one course of action.

It seems that my selection for this position was not the fit we both wished it could be. I will not have my decisions or the repercussions due to my position fall upon Sir Gar in all this. I will accept full responsibility for what I've done.

[ gar's eyes go wide across the table, but jack still doesn't spare her a glance, as he says stiffly, fixing wynn with a stare that's almost challenging: ] Rather than be asked to remedy what's been done, or face censure or demotion, I wish instead to tender my formal resignation from the position.

[65]

[finnick hesitates before attempting to employ his superb diplomacy skills, because ~a life without love is hardly a life at all~ and he can respect jack's decision if he really does have feelings for gar. BUT. they kind of need him right now. so.]

At the same time ... our numbers are already less than ideal. We're missing Violet and Elena. [and mark, but fred is kind of an upgrade??] We need you, regardless of your actions. Your skills and expertise are second to none. And what kind of message would it send to Dimitris if we showed up without you? [he's kind of talking to jack and wynn at the same time tbh. (diplomacy 26)]

[wynn]

[ 2000% DONE. he is busy staring at like jack like IS THIS REAL LIFE when suddenly finnickchan speaks up. that snaps him out of his incredulous staring at least, and he fights past the tic in his jaw to answer him. ] Sir Chessing was never meant to accompany you to Andres. Dimitris has asked for those involved in the Talisman mission - those under the command of Sir Gar, specifically. Jack will remain here, where we will discuss this matter further.

[ pressing the fuck on before anyone else opens their mouth at this meeting, while gar stares at jack as if trying to desperately will him with her lack of telepathy to LOOK AT HER SO SHE CAN TRY TO FIGURE OUT WHAT HE'S THINKING ]

In the meantime, you'll be traveling to the primary city on the Isle, also known as Andres. Sarandis has agreed to receive you all at his castle, and is providing lodging for you within the city itself. You'll proceed to the castle upon your arrival, to hear his demands, and leave. You are not to act against Sarandis directly, or take any action that might endanger Sir Bancroft. Despite this being a reconnaissance mission, I do not want any Knights attempting to gain access to the castle itself, beyond what you see when he receives you. Your intelligence will come in the form of speaking with as many citizens as you can without attracting interest, to gain an idea of where the populace stands, what their current situation is, and what opinion they hold of Sarandis himself. A night or two is all you are likely to get before your return, so I urge you to make the most of it.

[nothingsodivine]

[from his spot against the wall closest to the door, des pipes up, tone devoid of emotion.]

And if it turns out to be a trap?

[bigbad]

Our last recon mission did end with half of New York taking a swim.

[wynn]

There are more than enough of you on this mission to handle whatever trap he may be set to spring, if so. But I assure you - I know how Sarandis works. This is pageantry, and he'll play it above table. If he wanted any of you, I think you've all seen how underhanded he would be about it.

[nothingsodivine]

[des only seems a little convinced but he doesn't press. after a second or two, he sighs.]

There's one thing you all should know going into this. My curse broke. [he glances towards the ceiling.] So try not to shoot me.

[slay]

Everyone knows.

[ She looks at him like sOME OF US DON'T KEEP SECRETS. ]

You thought we'd let anyone walk in this room to a surprise like that?

[isisagent]

[Archer has been quietly watching the drama unfold, looking for a good moment to sneak in a "Hostile work environment" comment - but he actually missed out on that nugget of information before.]

What? Why would I shoot you just because you "prayed the gay away", or whatever? Good for you. But you don't have to call it a "curse", man. I think you've been hanging around priests a bit too much.

[nepotism]

... I'm not really sure I wanna know.

[romanticidal]

[ IGNORING YOU ARCHER, rafael turns to stare at des ] But-- but you are still alive. How--?

[slay]

Or, apparently, not everyone.

[ Her brow furrows and she's looking at Des like REALLY OF ALL THE PEOPLE TO LEAVE OUT. YOU KNOW HOW PRECIOUS HE IS. ]

[bigbad]

[Meanwhile Spike reaches over and smacks Archer in the back of his head. Hard but not fatally. (Atk 24, dmg 12, subdual)]

[wynn]

[ wow wtf is happening, everything is falling apart ] When did this happen?

[isisagent]

OW! HEY! [Archer rubs his head.]

Was that really necessary?

[bigbad]

Maybe not, but it made me feel better.

[Man, does he ever not miss his chip. This would have been worth it, though.]

Now, quiet. Grown-ups are talking.

[isisagent]

Said the bloodsucker who's going around sucker-punching people.

[Archer's still rubbing the growing welt on the back of his head.]

Hostile work environment. [Good a time as any.]

[nothingsodivine]

[Des pinches the bridge of his nose and looks long suffering.]

I dunno. Almost a month ago, I guess.

[shootfirst]

Con...grats? I mean, that's what you wanted, right? Curse and all. [ he doesn't seem very thrilled ok ]