after the fact

the bastion

Remi offers a brief, appreciative smile as Sunjata accepts his apology, the gesture genuine in its quiet weight. To Sah, he nods a warm greeting, but doesn’t interrupt. His fingers toy absently with the rim of his glass, though his attention is firmly fixed on Ronin as the Knight speaks. Pride flickers through the bond—not the blinding kind, but the steady, burning sort that anchors in his chest and radiates outward, threaded with affection and a trace of protectiveness that’s hard to miss.

When Ronin finishes and lays the relics on the table, Remi lets out a quiet breath and finally speaks.

It would make me feel better, too, to go after Dahlia, he says, voice low but resolute. Especially after what Vox said—about her changing her strategy. She’s the easiest of them to find, and if we’re careful, the one we might actually take without losing anyone. There’s no bravado in the statement, only cold logic—she’s a known quantity, and the clock is ticking. I can also stand guard over the jail, if and when she is placed inside of it.

He glances at the Seal of the Duke, then the Banner, nodding once.

Torchline’s jail could hold the relics, for now. No Friends of the Family or Family members will have access. And we’re closest to Starfall—easier to move quickly, if we need to. His gaze sweeps across the table. But once the other regions are protected, we can spread them out.

I got a feeling inside that I can't domesticate
It doesn't wanna live in a cage,
A feeling that I can't housebreak

Code blatently stolen from queen of codes, Sky!

relive who i've been at my worst,
every single night, looking for a distraction

Listening as everyone talks and he takes the moment to stretch out muscles that have been sore and painful for hours, the Flood’s attention flits to each one of them when they speak respectively. He bites down on what he wants to say, chewing on the inside of his cheek as he waits for a good time to interject with the rest of the information that he has. Ronin has a lot to suggest, and Sunjata nods along with it, grateful that they had intervened — at least for the sake of King’s End.

Steel eyes drop to the two relics on the table, flitting up to Ronin’s face when he mentions Wilde’s Rapier, before drifting toward Deimos with the silent question. The Flood has no relics - each fight he’d tried to snag one had ended up getting lost to those in this room, but if they were available in a space safe from the rest of the Family… Well, the Flood does think it’s a good idea.

I think keeping them accessible is good for all of us, in case one of us can’t make it or send something in time. It would be a rotating item, like the rock he’d worn the first time when he went to Starfall and wasn’t infected. I also want in on Dahlia. Something he’d already expressed to the White Knight, but feels it beneficial to say here too.

As for his portion? He takes a long slow sip of the whiskey and feels the barely there burn of it when he sends his next comment over the bond. As for doing this as a group; I have been doing some research on the Family. And from my understanding, while Pierce packs a hell of a punch, I think he’s their tank. Gaze flitting to Remi, because he feels it a fitting comparison, he glances back to the rest of them. His dome makes it so only physical attacks can be done. Glancing to Hadama with that information, Sunjata moves onto the next statement.

Dahlia, on the other hand, has a lot of shit she can do. She’s their damage dealer, I'm pretty sure. If her abilities he'd gleaned from the Knowtbook had anything to say about it. It made sense that she was able to cut through them so easily - but maybe with the information he's found, they can see what the best course of action is. So maybe if we decide who we're going for, we can be better prepared? And while he isn't sure if it's everything they can expect, some idea is better than nothing.

the flood

waiting for the sun to rise
pretty sight for some hollow eyes

totally sniped from odd ilu

DEIMOS

the resurrected sword

The Sword listened, taking a solid breath as Sah entered, and then snagging at all the information cycling through. The group depictions of going after Dahlia didn’t surprise him, and then the back and forth amidst and about Pierce…he didn’t know the right play or strategy either. The Reaper seemed to hold most of the cards when it came to Flora, Ronin, and Remi’s actions, so he understood the ramifications behind those sentiments. Pondering over other circumstances, he persisted through, based on his own experiences. If Dahlia is taken out, what about the rest of the Family coming in? Could they, almost immediately? Then what?

He'd forgotten about the jailhouse, as it’d been some time since Ru’s venture, and kept that in the back of his mind. Before he could respond however, the notion of the relics came into play, and his brows furrowed, head tilting as he listened.

Pooled resources – which, in any other circumstance, he might’ve been inclined to venture towards, but losing his relic, something very much necessary with Halo’s constant bombardments, rankled at him. Not unlike his prior conversations and messages with Flora, the trepidations about the potential misplacement, given his circumstances and those with the rapier, he felt less inclined to leave it elsewhere. My concern is accessibility. If something were to happen in Halo, especially after our recent experiences, and the relics are stored here, then it will not be available to us in an hour of need. I would like to have mine where I can use it. He could feel Ronin’s eyes on him, the weight upon his shoulders; but he wouldn’t be doing his region any service by giving a precious commodity up either.

Remi noted the parameters of protected kingdoms, and while Deimos wholeheartedly intended to get theirs done as quickly as possible, the time in between still might not be on their side. Not inclined to be a complete unyielding stick in the mud though, he gave forth another potential endeavor. What if we were to divide them by region now? Who would keep what would likely be up for debate – but if Halo had two, then maybe Noah would be interested in sending the basilisk portions to another region, like King’s End.

under the bludgeonings of chance
my head is bloody, but unbowed

Sah

Sah's brow furrowed as he absorbed the discussion. He hated Dahlia and had fantasized about killing her on multiple occasions. Unfortunately, he couldn't take the risk of joining the operation against her. If they failed and he'd been a part of it? She'd likely kill Luka.

If we cure her, I think we should also be prepared for the possibility that Dahlia might want to return to the Family. We don't know what circumstances led her to becoming one of them. The Family had proven how manipulative and strategic they could be. From threats to distractions, and even deals. Who knew if Dahlia had become one of them as part of such a thing, and would seek reinfection?

The Wild Thunder had nearly forgotten about the relics. Apart from Noah's, he'd only briefly interacted with them. He hummed, Splitting them up would make it more difficult for the Family to collect them. If they did gain access to the jail and every relic was there, we'd be in serious trouble. The idea of the Family having every relic in their arsenal was a terrifying one.

I think therefore I am,
But what if all I do is bleed?

I never stopped to think of you
I'm always wrapped up in things I cannot win

Noah let his breath out and was intentional to not make it a sigh — but he needed to release the tension that built in his shoulders as he listened to the other powerhouses share their ideas. Then he leaned forward and finally grabbed a drink from the table, bringing it to his lips and taking a nice long indulgence of the liquid that went down like water. He missed the days when this could make him ease into a lull, if only in this moment.

He still let his eyes move around the table as he spoke, not settling hard on any one of them. I have to agree with Deimos. Assuring that each region has what they need to be as protected as possible is the better option than putting all our arsenal in one place. Perhaps we take a stock and decide which relics would be best in certain hands? There were times when the Attitude Amulet was Noah’s option in a fight. Not all of his magic worked against the threat of the void and Family.

the forsaken

You are the antidote that gets me by
Somethin' strong, like a drug, that gets me high

Hadama inclined his head in acceptance of Dahlia as their target. The reasons that were offered from several directions were compelling, and he voiced no more concerns when Ronin answered the greatest of them: that Stormbreak would simply shift to another of the Family's hands if Dahlia was no longer in the picture.

But then the relics were placed upon the table and he blinked, once, before sipping his drink again and contemplating them - and Ronin's proposal. Emerald eyes landed upon the Banner and he tilted his head to the side, thoughtful. Could that be altered by one of the gods to serve a new purpose? At the moment it seemed to hold little use - nor would it ever do so again, in its current state.

Other than that question he sat quietly and listened as agreement and counterproposals swirled around the table. Finally, though, it was to Sah that he nodded slowly. The risk is too great to keep them all in one place. The Family and their creatures cannot pass into Haulani, but we have seen them use hostages before. He tilted his head at Remi and Ronin in apology - but also at Sah. If a loved one is captured and held. Threatened directly with torture or death or infection... It would be difficult to resist giving them what they wanted. Even if their condition was all of the relics. At least if they were spread out it would be harder for the Family to pursue such a brutal course without warning the other relic holders of what was occurring.

RONIN

THE WHITE KNIGHT

Ronin blinks, brow furrowing, and he holds up a hand as if to stay the sudden flurry of objections. He can't help but to laugh softly, almost disbelievingly, and reaches for the Seal of the Duke on the table. Haulani was a suggestion - and a short term one - based on the fact that it's protected from The Family. King's End and Halo will soon have that protection too, so of course they'd be divided back out. My point was more that we should all have access to all relics if needed, as some are obviously better suited than others for the things we want to achieve.

Consider him told, though, and he slides the seal across to Sunjata. Here - one for King's End. I'll keep the banner - Hadama has a point, and I might be able to get it altered if I petition one of the gods. He tucks that one back away into the bag beneath the table. That's everywhere covered, apart from The Hollowed Grounds, but none of us live there so it can't be helped.

Speaking of hostages, though, Ronin can only shrug. If we have Dahlia as a hostage once we cure her, will that stop The Family flooding Stormbreak? Will that make them take more hostages themselves? Apologies for being blunt, but it isn't Halo or King's End or anywhere else that's currently in need - it's my family and Torchline, because of a plan made across regions that we didn't know about until the eleventh hour. Flora would still be safe had we not interfered earlier. And now she isn't, and the Knight will stop at nothing until that's rectified.

Nodding towards Sunjata, Ronin lets out a long, slow sigh. Alright, it's settled then. Remi, Sunjata and I will go to Stormbreak, and we'll do our best to get this done. If a flower can be spared, that would be preferable of course, but if not, I'm sure we can go out and procure our own. It's not as if Flora can be put in more danger at this point.

now don’t you lose hope

I swear I never dream that we’re alone

I swear I still believe but I don’t know

the bastion

Remi had listened through most of the debate with his head tilted, the heel of one hand absently rolling his mostly-empty glass across the table. He wasn’t the diplomat in the room—not even close—but he tried to be measured, even as his expression tightened at the mention of Flora.

To Deimos’s concern about retaliation from the rest of the Family, he lifted a shoulder in a slow shrug. And? What about it? he wondered plainly. Whatever they do after, it’s one less of them before. His gaze lingered a moment on the Sword before turning to the others, specifically Sunjata. I can soak whatever Dahlia throws at us when we find her. Hopefully it will be enough to buy the time needed to cure her.

Then, tapping his fingers once against the edge of the table, he glanced toward the relics again, before inclining his head doubtfully toward his husband. Relics made by the Voice or the Core are...probably not the sort of things the old gods can work it.

His eyes flicked between Deimos and Noah before settling again, steady and dark. If you are concerned about an attack on Halo, then perhaps keeping the flowers there is what’s unwise. They’re more valuable than any relic from what we have seen so far. He didn’t say move them to Torchline, but the implication hung plainly in the air. At least until fortifications were complete on the Citadel, and even then, as Hadama had pointed out, such things weren't necessarily impenetrable.

As for the relics themselves, he exhaled and leaned back slightly in his chair, arms folding loosely across his chest. I am less worried about where things are than who can use them when it matters. His gaze turned toward Hadama then, his tone shifting just slightly as a flicker of admiration cut through. I’ve seen how hard the Tidebreaker can hit with his gravity spikes. A pause, then a thoughtful hum. Perhaps the next time we venture to Starfall, maybe the relics go with those who can best utilize them at the time.

I got a feeling inside that I can't domesticate
It doesn't wanna live in a cage,
A feeling that I can't housebreak

Code blatently stolen from queen of codes, Sky!

DEIMOS

the resurrected sword

He hadn’t meant to rankle any edges either, and put his own hands up in a compliant gesture. It hadn’t been a jab. It hadn’t been any irritation. He’d been merely concerned about the other implications of thereafter, and for them, especially for whomever opted to remain amidst Stormbreak’s leadership in the interim. Calm and composed, he shook his head, pondering over if Ronin’s comment had been directed at him about the planning portion of the pool party debacle – and his gaze went downward.

As for the flowers, he’d had no intentions of doing any hoarding – they’d simply come to him, and he’d been waiting for their next Starfall interval. I can send one flower to you for the Dahlia mission, and if we want to divide them up amongst ourselves, I can send the other as well to whomever. He glanced around the table, brow arched to see if anyone was interested, or if they wanted to do the Torchline threshold. As long as they managed to snag another in between, they’d have enough for the current machinations, and the dreaded isle.

under the bludgeonings of chance
my head is bloody, but unbowed

relive who i've been at my worst,
every single night, looking for a distraction

Sunjata falls silent, listening as more of the conversation spreads to flowers and the relics - his gaze dropping to those already on the table (and admittedly lingering a touch longer on the Ascended one he’d tried so hard to get so many years ago). Pierce can teleport, too, but I don't know if they have anything that could tell them if one of them are being targeted. He murmurs mentally toward Deimos before he falls silent again. He might be unaware until it's too late, unless he shows up on a whim.

And it’s a good thing he keeps his mouth shut, because there’s a flicker of frustration that sits in the Flood’s gut as the conversation seems to go in circles again and again. So, he waits, letting Ronin speak and waiting for the result of this conversation, unsure if anything would change.

As the seal slides across to him, his gaze flits up to Ronin with a quiet nod as he pockets the relic along with the jar of blood from Pierce. Thank you. He offers quietly, not to interrupt but for Ronin to hear. Mention of shifting flowers and fights on the horizon have him straightening up a bit, running his hand through his hair before he puffs out a verbal little sigh.

I’ll do more research on her specifically so we’re all prepared when we go. And in the meantime, I guess we keep searching for more flowers? And hopefully they'd end up with more than they needed, if they could keep on top of it.

the flood

waiting for the sun to rise
pretty sight for some hollow eyes

totally sniped from odd ilu

Remi's point about the relics of the New Gods being unworkable by the old gods was unfortunately sensible and Hadama gave the Banner a final regretful glance before focusing on the rest of what was before them. The discussion on Dahlia drew his full attention, brow furrowing slightly as he let his thoughts settle around the shape of the Reaper and what was known of her abilities.

Ronin, Remi, will you remind us of what you have seen her do? We may need to find ways to counter her abilities. He looked across the table at the married demigods and inclined his head. If she knows that you have a Rose she may teleport away. Will we need to find a way to anchor her...? Or any other member of the Family they hunted down next, once the void-born realized that they were becoming the prey.

As for the distribution of flowers, having none of his own to contribute he remained quiet, except for Remi's nod in his direction which he accepted with a solemn inclination of his head, and to Sunjata's recommendation for continued flower hunting a nod of agreement as well.

I never stopped to think of you
I'm always wrapped up in things I cannot win

It wasn’t just Ronin and Remi’s children who mattered, no matter how bright their names burned. Every child, every family, deserved a chance to live without shadows crawling under their skin. His eyes flicked to Sah, knowing his son had been captured and attacked and tortured by Dahlia. He understood, where the fathers were at. If Dahlia had personally threatened his children he would burn everything down to get to her and strangle the life out of her with his bare hands — or die trying.

So he didn’t challenge them on that, because he knew. He felt it. But the ultimate reality was none of their children, their families, were safe.

He took another drink.

That’s a good idea, Sunjata. I’m willing to head to Starfall to try and claim another area. Deimos, since you currently have the roses, are you ready to come as well? He looked then to Sah and Hadama, asking silently the same question.

It felt as if they had their next objectives at the ready.

the forsaken

You are the antidote that gets me by
Somethin' strong, like a drug, that gets me high

Sah

Sah listened as the debate came to a close and next steps were identified. Distributing the flowers was something that he hadn't considered prior to this, and he nodded at the notion. He also noted to himself to detour in search of a flower before returning to Halo.

His eyes trailed to Remi and Ronin, eager to learn more about Dahlia and any possible weaknesses they could exploit.

Noah's question pulled a hum from his throat and a furrow to his brow. Not immediately, but if the timing aligns, I'm more than willing to return to Starfall. He had a bone to pick with a certain snake. I'll be able to craft again in a few weeks and can help with other preparations as well. Even if he couldn't join in the next fight, the Wild Thunder would do everything that he could to ensure the team's success.

I think therefore I am,
But what if all I do is bleed?

RONIN

THE WHITE KNIGHT

Wincing to hear @Remi’s very good point, Ronin offers a gentle nod and nudges the bag containing the banner beneath the table almost on reflex. One useless relic for Torchline then, but at least there are no shortage of demigods present. And perhaps, with luck in abundance, they might eventually see Wilde’s Rapier returned.

As talk turns to flowers and relics and future fights, Ronin glances at Hadama with a quiet but respectful incline of his head, he can only agree with his husband. Given the stakes, it feels as though we ought to abandon pride at this point and hand our resources to those who can hit hardest. I’ve seen what Hadama can do as well - he’ll make short work of any further monsters we find in Starfall. The Family included, if it comes to that.

Gesturing to Sunjata as the question is aired about Dahlia, Ronin can only shrug his shoulders. She hits hard and fast and ruthlessly. The longer you remain in a fight with her, the worse it becomes. Considering that Remi, Sunjata and I will be going after he for this, though, it seems redundant to spend more time on her than she deserves. I’m sure Jata can send all he knows in a letter, if people need. For now, though, it seems as if we all have our roles to play.

And so, providing there are no further remarks to be made, Ronin rises to his feet and prepares to leave.

now don’t you lose hope

I swear I never dream that we’re alone

I swear I still believe but I don’t know