best to take a moment present

[maleficum]

Comments

[gambled_ourmistakes]

So. What’s the verdict?

[The mark had shifted slightly as they arrived in Chicago but it’s not gone completely. Damian doesn’t know what to make of it, but he also doesn’t know what to make of the man studying his arm, introduced to him by Rowena as Daniel Abernathy, yes that Daniel Abernathy.

For a man of his reputation, he give off a rugged, gives-no-fucks air, but there’s a gentleness to him as he takes Damian’s arm, applying his practiced eye to the symbols seared there by magic they weren’t prepared for. Damian’s never had the opportunity to meet him before now, and to be honest he was fine with that, but there’s still something about the man that is impressive. He understands the power he commands just based on the factions of the world they play in, and Damian doesn’t intend to cross him.

But he hopes for answers that are better than what he expects.

“It’s definitely still a problem.” Daniel rears back and sighs. “The Colony likes backup plans for their backup plans, so while yes, Kirsanov’s death does change things, it doesn’t break the spell. There’s another person, likely another member of the Inner Circle, that set the trap with him.”

No, that’s not the answer he wanted.]

Lovely. That is unfortunate.

[fifthbase]

( Rowena McLeod is more than aware of Daniel Abernathy's rugged exterior and gentle nature. She finds it a bit intoxicating truth to power, but, she can prioritize. Which is why she comes through as she's promised, brought her connection in and stands behind the two boys, observing. )

But, all traps are made of mechanisms, and all spells have a blueprint. A barcode, if you will. Finding the twin caster isn't out of the question.

[gambled_ourmistakes]

[Of course it isn't. Though he's not sure there's not much he can do either way. Once they know who, he might be able to convince the witches to bump them up on their hit list, but it's not like Damian can take a run at them himself.

Especially not on his own. It's not the smart play, and while he may not be up to Katherine Pierce's level of survival standards (he's not bitter), but he does pride himself on smart plays.]

That would be good. I can pass that on to the insurrectionists. See if it's a viable next target.

[Abernathy shakes his head. "Still can't believe they actually found the balls. Though I wish they would have kept my son out of it."]

[fifthbase]

Witches prefer a wider, bloodier, nastier footprint when it comes to their machinations. The Gauntlet is just one example of the lengths they will go to for power and in some cases, survival.

( with the Colony, it's a little bit of both. )

May I?

( he steps in, not wanting to encroach on Mr. Handsom's space. if Abernathy steps back, she will step up to the plate so to speak and begin her part. )

[gambled_ourmistakes]

Please.

[Abernathy does step back, ready to let Rowena do her thing. He moves back to stand next to Sam, leaning back against the wall and crossing his arms in front of his chest. He doesn't like any of this scenario, but he's willing to let Rowena call in one of the favors he owes her.

Damian extends his arm to her, and tries to keep his mind present, not letting his mind wander to what's to come after.]

[fifthbase]

( Sam, on Rowena's facetime feed, watches, having been updated after the fact about the last mark.

Rowena gives him a knowing, forced look. a 'cut it out, clear your mind,' Damian, look. Before she hovers two hands over her mark. An electric purple dilates her eyes as she dips her head back. (18)

She follows the ley-lines of magic, and the winding, surging purple map she draws on.

Suddenly, her eyes return to normal, hazel pupils coming into focus again.

Her hand makes contact, fingers tracing the mark itself.

It's apparent how concerning this is, as she draws her hand back again. )

The technical is more Samuel's expertise, but this spell's signature is bouncing around like a cellular phone signal. I've never seen a spell fracture like so.

( she can only liken it to spycraft. )

[gambled_ourmistakes]

So they made a very grand effort of making sure we can't tell who's responsible for casting it so we can't kill them. How deft of them.

[Damian sighs as he runs his hands over his eyes. It's not what he wanted to hear, but it's at least something he can work with.]

It acts like a beacon, no? Is there a way we can muffle that somehow?

[fifthbase]

There are pastes and dark or cursed objects, some of which will provide their own forms of backlash.

( which isn't what he wants to hear, but she can provide some hope. )

But, with a signature this scrambled, I don't see how we can't tangle it even further. They opened the door, we can just let ourselves right in. It could significantly weaken the signal from both ends.

[gambled_ourmistakes]

Alright. I should just keep moving then?

[Is that his best play? Not give them time to get a solid read on where he is? He doesn't really know, he just knows that he wants to survive.]

Or is that going to be a waste of my time since it's unavoidable?

[fifthbase]

It would be prudent to not stay in the same place for too long, but I can enhance the entanglement. It will give you more time in your given surroundings. It will come with an unavoidable tingle reminding you that when it's time, it is time.

( you get the freedom you can claw back! but, you will need to keep moving. )

How does that sound?

[gambled_ourmistakes]

I can work with that.

[He pauses before tipping his head to the side.]

Hopefully a fun tingle? Not a blaring alarm bell in the back of my mind?

[fifthbase]

I can set it to your preference.

( nice hum, blaring alarm, or pleasurable plug. )

[gambled_ourmistakes]

I appreciate your consideration. A nice hum will work well.

[Or a soft itch in the back of his brain. His life is just terrible enough, he's not looking to make it worse.

Yes, he's being melodramatic, leave him alone.]

[fifthbase]

( or pleasurable, but everyone has their preferences. )

Don't move.

( a (9) fights the original spell itself, so Rowena's intention butts up against Damien's and marries quite oddly. not that either of them knows.

he will feel a sublt, slow itch creep up, but, then might like spider senses, it will kick in quite intensely when it needs to. )

Hum away.

( an electronic card slides into the door, the familiar beep sounding, as Katherine lets herself into the room. in one hand she holds a tray of coffee and a bag dangling from her fingers. she pauses.

"I didn't bring enough bagels," she says nonchalantly, stepping in and letting the door slam behind her. )

[gambled_ourmistakes]

[Damian likely attempts to whirl around when he hears her voice, but Rowena's hold on him for spell work purposes likely keeps him in place. He also quells any outburst because he doesn't want to get into this with an audience.]

You're back.

[shreds]

And I brought bagels. Not enough.

( she'd point out she said she would be, but the both of them know volumes were spoken between them and they're in mixed company.

Rowena looks down at what she's done, not thrilled with what's transpired, but as always, people get what they get.

"I can't promise it was my best work, but this is an ancient tangled web woven. You may experience some discomfort should you not leave in a timely fashion." )

[gambled_ourmistakes]

[He glances back to Rowena, and tries to let his attention go back to the witch next to him.]

Thank you, Rowena. Whatever you did do, I appreciate it.

[fifthbase]

( she owed an old ally, so, no need to mention it. she waves her hand away and turns to face the former vampire. )

Katherine.

( "Rowena. I would ask to what do we owe this house call, but, I'll skip right to 'some discomfort,'" she says. )

Not on my part, we do what we can with what we're given. Like you and some 500 years on the run from the Original hybrid.

[gambled_ourmistakes]

Rowena gave me an early warning system for when we need to move again.

[Damian leans back in his seat with a heavy sign.]

Kirsanov's dead, but two people cast this spell, so we have to figure out who the second person is and make sure they're dead before we're free and clear.

[shreds]

Thank you, Rowena.

( she sounds grateful, right? cause she is. )

We, or, anyone not directly connected to the who? Because the way I see it, we did our part, we torched your body, I think our part is pretty much done until you can get that off his arm.

[gambled_ourmistakes]

Rowena wasn't involved in the recruitment process.

[Basically, this isn't her battle, and Katherine is directing her ire in the wrong direction.]

I don't disagree, but we'll have to take it up with the witches who actually asked us for help in the first place.

[shreds]

( she's involved now and she's Rowena MaCleod, but. )

I'll take up the cause, then. You got our pound of flesh, etc etc.

( but he's right. not their fight. she doesn't recognize Daniel Abernathy, but she does shoot Sam a look on Facetime. )

Anything else?

[gambled_ourmistakes]

["Not on my end." Abernathy replies. "We've done about all we can do for him."

Damian nods.]

Now all that's left is running, running and more running.

[shreds]

Been there, done that.

( she sets her bagel bag, her purse, and the coffee tray down on the bureau, turning back to their visitors.

they have things to discuss. )

Then, if you don't mind.

[gambled_ourmistakes]

Thank you both for your help.

["Are you in need of transportation, Rowena?"

The sentence is awkward but Abernathy knows what Rowena can do with innuendo if she's given the wiggle room. Right now all he's offering her is a car ride.]