debriefing ♔ in the emptiness there's a solution | just look within yourself for absolution

[nepotism]

♬ locking up the sun- poets of the fall

WHO || Wynn, Buffy, Myri, Finnick, Spike, Gar, Archer, Des, Vi, Rafael, Fred Jr., Dumage, Mark, Rocket, open! [Closed]
WHAT || Andres Mission Debrief & Aftermath
WHERE || Knights HQ, lobby etc.
WHEN || September 18th [forward dated*]
HOW || Actionspam. Single thread, don't worry about maintaining tagging order.

There are plenty of missions that return to the castle a success - most of them, even. The defeated air of the solemn group that returns from their diplomatic mission to Andres Isle to hear the demands of dictator Dimitris Sarandis makes it quite clear that this wasn't one of those.

Starting with Sarandis' actual demands - for all Knights to withdraw from Andres under penalty of death, or for Wynn to offer his own head in return for Thomas' safe return - and ending with the unexpected, disturbing confession from Kat that she intended to stay behind on the island because she had "fallen in love with" the dictator, the events of the island made it very clear that Sarandis was cannily playing his hand to get the Knights where he wanted them.

Fred Jr. shoves open the doors with his unnatural strength, stalking in ahead of the group into the lobby. Whoever's on desk duty isn't going to have to roll a high wisdom check to see that these people are pissed... and distraught... and a myriad of other emotions on the bad end of the scale.

*I am changing the date of the briefing log and Andres log/live session to have taken place in September, to avoid us being in backdated hell forever, and to allow for a September squiring ceremony before apps are closed. Carry on... in the future!

Comments

[untethered]

[ despite being repeatedly told not to worry about him, belle, of course, worried plenty about gold while he was gone. the complete radio silence wasn't something that seemed entirely unusual to her since she came from the enchanted forest and they didn't exactly have phones there or cars or shit, but it was clear that she'd missed him, and her warm greeting was tempered only by her shock at hearing what in the world he'd been through. she was notably uncomfortable at the thought of their bringing home their new psychotic robot friends, but also clearly assumed he knew what he was doing. probably. maybe.

between his own complicated feelings in the wake of the mission and all that's proceeded since, it would almost have been easy for him to miss the slight difference in his interactions with belle, or write them off as attributable to the time spent recently apart. however, it becomes only more prominent each rare time they've had occasion to steal moments together, and with his wis check of 22, he does notice something - it's just difficult to say what.

if he didn't know any better, it would almost feel as if there were something she wasn't telling him.

but those thoughts seem ridiculous as she looks down at his voice now, her smile wide and open even in the face of oncoming war, a brightness in her eyes that seems to grow every time she looks at him, and only him. ] I was hoping you'd come find me. [ she hands the book she's pulling down towards him, so that she can use her other hand to hold her skirt as she climbs down. ] I wasn't certain how much Hasmed might be needing you before-- Well...

[ she lets it trail off there as she reaches the floor, turning to look at him with a more somber expression, a recognition of what's about to come. ]

[undealt]

Hasmed has, unfortunately, taken enough of my time before all of this. I'm certain he can bend the ear of another member of our sect for a time.

[He steps closer, smiling sheepishly, but all too aware of the odd feeling between them. It doesn't seem to matter now. Secrets and things of that nature are commonplace within these walls- it doesn't make him less curious, but it gives him the decency to not pry. At least not this second.

He takes the book from her and lays it aside on the table absently without even a second glance at it, like he's concerned if he so much as blinks, she's going to vanish before his eyes and he'll be back in Germany or on Andres fighting (god the thought makes him sick to think of it).]

Are you going? [It's such a silly question- of course she's going. Belle wouldn't dream of being left behind with her books in the middle of this. A part of him- an ultimately selfish part- wishes she'd stay where it's safe, but it's not something he can ask of her.]

[untethered]

[ she nods, glancing down long enough to let her hair tumble forward a bit, before she looks up and admits: ] I've asked if it might be possible that you and I... could be assigned together, wherever we're sent.

[ her lips quirk up sadly as she reaches out one hand to lightly place on his chest. ] If we're going, I think we should go together.

[undealt]

[She's touching meeeee~

He reaches up to place a hand over hers, his smile becoming more fond, more honest, and a lot less embarrassed by his own feelings.] I'd like that. Though my track record for missions seems to be... spotty at best. I hope you realize what you're getting into.

[At least he can joke about it. Vaguely.]

[untethered]

Don't forget I've already been on assignment with you once before. Well, perhaps not assignment... [ AFTER HOURS DUNGEON DIVING ] Either way, I think you're too hard on yourself about how you did down there.

[undealt]

[he smiles sadly.] Oh, indeed. But considering it was my idea, I think shouldering the blame is the least I can do. But, as with Germany, it wasn't a complete failure. We did manage to return with some valuable information.

[So it's all sort of a win in the end.] Perhaps, ah, dumb luck will prevail once again.

[He reaches up to move a lock of her hair out of her face, tilting his head a bit. There's an almost curious look in his eyes that suggest he's trying to gauge what's on her mind without directly asking.]

[untethered]

[ she raises one hand over his, brushing her thumb against his skin, even as she looks down, still smiling. it's a simple gesture, and it's hard to tell whether she's purposefully avoiding that probing gaze or not, but she draws away slowly, giving his hand a squeeze and turning to her table of books. ] It wasn't just the information. What was down there was evil, and we helped stop it. That's important.

[undealt]

Indeed. I don't think we've truly put an end to things with Luckman Industries, but at least that facility will be useless. And we have a name to go with a potential threat.

[He shakes his head, giving up on trying to pry indirectly for the moment as he stares at her hand over his.] Attempting to control magic- have you ever heard anything so ridiculous?

[untethered]

It might sound a bit mad, but is it really so surprising that the people of this world might be afraid of it? People always fear what they don't understand.

[undealt]

Well, that's sort of the situation we're in now, isn't it? With Sarandis and this insanity on Andres. I doubt we'll ever be done with extremists.

[Not that anyone ever really is done with extremists, but it would be nice to think things would level out eventually.]

And the effect they can have on us. [He adds it as an afterthought, looking down.]

[untethered]

[ she tilts her head, watching him with gentle concern before finally asking: ] Is it still bothering you? Everything that... that happened?

[undealt]

I think it's going to bother me for a very long time, Belle. I don't... I don't feel the same way about magic I did when it all started, all courtesy of Luckman's machine. I used to think it was the most assured way to make something of myself in this world and now all I feel is this... guilt.

[untethered]

You know you don't need magic to make anything of yourself, don't you? You never have. Magic or no, you're a good man, and a good Knight. And those things are powerful in their own right.

[undealt]

Thank you, Belle. [Well, that's something he needs to hear. His track record isn't defining him, nor is his ability to incinerate things. There's still something in him that's worth noting.]

Perhaps now isn't the best time to dwell on any of that. Not when we have so much ahead of us. [he takes her face in his hands gently.]

[untethered]

[ her expression is earnest, obviously pleased with his response. ] Exactly. Now isn't the time to... to dwell on anything else. There'll be plenty of time for that when things have settled down, after the Island.

[undealt]

Among other things. [sly smile.] Though there's no reason why that should wait. [And to punctuate this. He's gonna kiss her all up in this library. Aww yeah.]

[untethered]

[ damn boi, that was hella smooth apparently. her hand slides up his neck and buries itself in his hair as she returns the kiss, apparently loath to be the first one to draw away, either. there's something encouraging in her very touch, and she presses against him slowly, as if afraid to let him go. ]

[undealt]

[It's okay, gurl. Gold's 21 will save will help you out. He pulls away and realizes where they are and nods slowly, as if reluctant to stop, but knowing decorum dictates he must.]

Somewhere a bit more private, perhaps.

[DON'T WANNA END UP LIKE CHESSING AND GAR, RIGHT???]

[untethered]

[ whoopsie ] Yes, of course, I'm-- [ she looks down, a smile creeping up her cheeks ] I just missed you.

[undealt]

[Just gonna lead her out now and head to her room. Since it's probably closer. NO LIBRARY TRYSTS FOR YOU, WORLD.]

I missed you too. There were times when I was wondering if we were ever going to get out of that facility... and after what happened to Emma and Faye. Well.. I think I was right to be concerned.

But I'm here now, and I don't intend to let us be apart for any reason while we're on Andres. [he kisses her hand. Yeeeeah, look at that charismatic fucker (cha 19)]

[untethered]

I'm not going anywhere. [ she smiles warmly at the gallant gesture, and watches him as they head down the hall. ] Are you bringing Milah?

[undealt]

I think she'd be pressed if I didn't, after being left behind last time. [He smiles fondly... At her. Not the crocodile. Sorry, Milah. You're important to him, but... Belle.]

[untethered]

Given it's an island, perhaps she'll have an easier time getting around.

[undealt]

Oh, indeed. And she'll certainly enjoy having something more than diseased rats to bite.

[MAYBE HE SHOULDN'T IMPLY THAT HIS CROCODILE IS GONNA GO LAKE PLACID ON SOME SOLDIERS WHEN THEY'RE ABOUT TO HAVE SEX. HEY IS THAT BELLE'S DOOR RIGHT THERE. He stops just shy of it.]

That's yet another thing I can save for tomorrow. [He reaches up and brushes her hair from her face to give her the fondest look and... he passed his will save to not just start macking on her right there. Good job, bro. So he'll wait until she lets them in.]

[untethered]

[ yeah diseased rats don't kill the mood for belle, i guess, because she rolled a 2 on her will save, and after unlocking the door, she barely gets him inside before she has her arms around his neck. there's a strange sort of insistence to the look she gives him, almost as if she's trying to reassure him of something. ] I love you, Auric.