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

[telekinection]

[ tia smiles at her sadly when she finishes, but she looks grateful. ] You've always known what to say.

[daredtobelieve]

I wouldn't say it if I didn't think it was true. He would be proud of you, you know.

[telekinection]

I'm no Dragon's Claw. Maybe I could have been, but I never wanted to be. I'm not sure he ever would have understood that.

[daredtobelieve]

I can't really speak on that, but I can tell you, coming from the experience of raising my own daughter- it never mattered that she was so different from me. If Ashley were alive and knighted, she would have joined the Hide and never given a second glance at the other sects. Bullheaded, quick tempered, reckless with her own safety. [For as negative as the comments may be, Helen says them with such a fond smile, sadness clouding her gaze just a bit as she reminisces on her daughter's life.]

She was strong. She knew what she wanted out of life and she wasn't afraid to take it. And I was so proud to know her, to raise her, to be able to tell people that she was my daughter.

[Helen shakes her head, pushing back her own memories and getting back to the point.]

Your father may not have understood your choices, your goals- but that doesn't mean he would have been blind to your accomplishments. And it doesn't mean that he wouldn't be proud to see how far you've come.

[telekinection]

[ tia lifts her eyes to helen's, with a grateful air, the smile coming a little easier as she reaches for her hand. ] I can see the teacher in you too.

[daredtobelieve]

[That draws a laugh from her.]

Oh, I'm not so sure about that. And I can say with a great amount of certainty that my two current squires would disagree. Or at least wouldn't say it so fondly. One of them called me a granny not too long ago.

[Not important really. She squeezes Tia's hand.]

We'll be alright.

[telekinection]

I've been called worse. Luckily, I think we both know not to take it personally.

[daredtobelieve]

[Helen smiles, nodding in agreement.] We'd be in quite a lot of trouble otherwise. And I think we've got enough of that to spare.

[telekinection]

That we definitely do.

I know I'm ready for this. I just... have to remind myself what it's really about. For me.

It can't all be vengeance.

[daredtobelieve]

No, not solely. You'll lose a part of yourself there if you go into it like that. There are so many lives that will be saved as a result of our victory- and we will be victorious.

[telekinect]

I wish it were as easy as chanting those noble aspirations over and over again.

[daredtobelieve]

I know. But until we get out there, there's not much else to be done, is there?

[telekinect]

I suppose playing darts with a picture of Dimitris' face doesn't count.

[daredtobelieve]

Well, if you've got one lying about, I could go a few rounds.

[telekinection]

Too bad the printer's out of ink.

[daredtobelieve]

A pity, that.

[telekinection]

I should probably-- [ she sucks in a breath ] Do you mind if I caught a ride with you?

[daredtobelieve]

Of course. Do you need to pack up anything here?

[telekinection]

Not much. Just give me a few.

[daredtobelieve]

Of course, dear. Take your time.

[She will just enjoy her tea in the meantime.]