[Rusty provides them all with a location where they can prepare and get ready before they move on to the main event. He fills the empty warehouse with a number of options for weapons, fancy attire and other supplies they may need. When the door slides open and he sees the faces of one of his oldest friends - sometimes father - step into the room, he smiles wider as he makes his way closer for a hug.]
Been a long time, Rhett.
[Far too long, but if this gambit he's on succeeds, maybe it will be much more often. He glances over Rhett's shoulder at his wife and smiles.]
Scarlett.
["Russell," she says dryly. "I hope you have a plan."]
[He would like to have a life where he's not looking over his shoulder. He doesn't know what he will have to do with himself. But at least he'll be free.
He glances over to Melanie with a nod and a smile.]
Have a good flight?
["It seems to me those planes keep getting more and more uncomfortable." Of course they flew first class, but still. "I don't think it will ever be my favorite way to fly."]
[He nods, glancing back to the table where he's laid everything out.]
There's a lot of moving pieces, but if we time things right, we should be able to pull things off.
[The schematics of the boat, the travel lines, everything he knew about the operation - all of it was on that table, as well as the most recent pictures of Wallace and Corsair.]
( Rhett peruses the plans on the table, proud of his son and his defiance.
"That is our boy," he tells his wife.
Buffy arrives next with Faith, Stefan, and Damon in tow. She sports a chip on her shoulder and a look of determination. She skips pleasantries, zeroing in on the table and the elaborate setup. )
Is this the plan?
( She stretches her arms over one another, cracks her neck, taking a walk around the table.
"Faith," she says to Russell. "This is Stefan and Damon, or what we like to call them, Hero Hair and Who Invited You?" But she smirks, looking back.
"And my answer to that, is the group of witches who sicced a vampire corporation on me, my brother, his future bride-to-be, his estranged Gothic friends, etc," Damon retorts, Buffy glancing up briefly. )
Keep talking like that and someone's invitation might get lost in the mail.
( Rhett peers around at the guests and back to Buffy, 'Are you getting married,' his expression puzzles out. Had he missed this. He does love a good party. She shakes her head. Considers. Half shrugs. Avoids Stefan's eye-line as she focuses on the plans again. )
[Stefan is rolling his eyes behind his brother's back. Can't you just let him have something without color commentary? But that's a conversation for another time.
Rusty, however, keeps his focus on Buffy. She doesn't seem to want to deal with pleasantries, so fine by him.]
We'll get on at their stop in Arcadia. Scarlett will smooth the way but I and another witch friend coming along will obscure you and the other Slayers with illusions so they don't know who they're letting on board. Once we're on the boat, we'll wait until we move into this crest of the river, we'll be blocked from prying eyes by the shore. That's when we'll make our move.
[Rusty's personal preference is no survivors to tell the tale. Let the bodies continue to float down until the ship reaches it's cradle.]
They have personal quarters on the boat. Once things get messy, they'll probably barricade themselves there, but Ezra and I will get to them while you deal with the vampires.
Take one fighter with you two. I don't care who. But, it won't just be you two.
( That doesn't feel right. )
I heard from Mia that we're going to have eyes in the sky, which means I think her brother William is joining, but I wouldn't be surprised if someone turned into a bird.
("William's on the roster," Faith confirms. "Insisted." She shrugs, can't blame him. Though he doesn't like the carnage as much as she does.
"William Queen," Rhett asks, always aware of his male entrepreneurs, turning to his wife. "Oliver Queen's son."
"Mia's his daughter, so. Checks out," Faith adds, taking a seat and straddling one of the chairs from the back. )
[Oliver Queen means nothing to Rusty, billionaires are not the kind of power he tends to deal in, so all of these names mean nothing to him and given his concerns:]
Is he human?
["He is. If I remember correctly - " Scarlett pauses as she goes back through the six degrees of separation. "Mia is Wes' boyfriend's roommate, William is her brother who is also dating Mickey's friend." Scarlett is a social creature, she is required to know everyone's names before she meets them.
This also does not matter to Rusty.]
Does he need to be our eyes while being on the boat?
["No, he does not." Mia swings in, her gear over one shoulder. "We just have to find the cameras so that he can hack in. Might need a hard link in."]
("Very good," Rhett chides Scarlett, winding a finger in her hair. She does have very pretty hair, and everything else. "Mickey is Wes' boyfriend," Rhett clarifies, not that Rusty deeply cares.
William comes in, his own bag slung over his shoulder.
"Brought my suit and everything," William says, feigning disappointment. "Don't worry, I'm used to being the one not in the field. Opening the flap of his bag, he pulls out a pouch and tosses it down onto the table, momentarily eyeing the plans. "There are earbuds in there so we can all stay in communication, and so I can communicate with you guys. Let you know guard sweep schedules. Staff numbers. Impropriety. Mia filled me in on the ship. Vampires. Gambling. Sounds like a party to me.")
It's not a party. It's a facade. Because, behind the gambling and party are trafficked humans and well-fed vampires. And two very powerful witches I'd like to meet personally.
We're not going to be staying here long enough to need one.
[He gestures to their final member.]
Everyone, this is Ezra. Ezra, everyone. Let's get started.
[And he will walk them through it just as he did for Buffy. Getting on in Arcadia, and the point at which they'll be able to make their move. The illusions required for those who would draw suspicion aka anyone not Damon, Scarlett, Rhett or Melanie.
That being said, he glances over at William.]
What would you need for access to the security system. The security office is here.
("Witch 2 in this case," he says, raising a hand and taking a seat -- well, he doesn't really know who to join, to be honest. No one here is his biggest fan. but faith's hot and a stranger, so he drops down next to her, salutes.
she spins her chair to face boss man.
"Remote access," he says, pulling out a black drive with a blinking red light. "Someone needs to slip it onto the back of their monitor," or underneath. "And then I'll have eyes. I won't know how difficult controlling their systems will be until I get access.")
Okay. Then one of us will focus on the security office first and foremost, before any moves are made.
[Mia reaches over to take it from him. "I've got it." She'll be able to get in and out quickly, hopefully.
Rusty nods because good, one less thing to worry about.]
I brought assorted weapons for you all to choose from, as you probably couldn't get yours on the plane on short notice, but if there's anything that's not here, let me know and I can try to obtain it before then.
( Buffy, over on the rack pulls a metal rimmed wooden stake that feels good in her hands -- walking along. Faith chooses a familiar looking knife, for old times, Rhett likes his hands and fists, but will take a gnarled, older stake.
Ezra pockets a few smaller knives, that will be good to fling magically.
Damon, too, grabs a stake, this one -- painted red, but it's wooden. He shrugs at the drama.
Buffy lands at the end of the rack on a machete, but gold. she swings it. )
They won't check for that. Hunters sometimes make excellent appetizers for the main course.
[They are not the first to try and take on the Riverboat. Hopefully they'll be the most successful.
Mia gravitates towards the collapsible bow, and wooden arrows. The arrows can be melee weapons if she doesn't wind up somewhere she can be a sniper. Scarlett and Melanie pack assorted blades, and Stefan also picks up a stake for personal use later.]
Wallace and Corsair have their own cabin on the VIP Floor. Ezra and I will be prioritizing rooting them out. The rest of the vamps are yours to contend with as you see fit.
( She sucks in a breath, looking over at everyone, before moving to the front with Rusty. )
Normally, this is where I would tell you to save who you can. But, none of us in this room want this to be traced back to us. The Ivory Tower holds grudges. And I've been told they have ways to arbitrate their grievances. Besides, the victims are also employees. I hate it. And I want to do something about these types of operations after this, but read my lips. No survivors.
("Compulsion can be undone by the right witch," Rhett says, making it clear that it is not a foolproof method in this case. Even if that is tragic. (It is.) But that is war. )
Is there a schedule they normally use? ( she asked Rusty. ) A time where there are no humans on board? Like, a restocking?
( She needs the option if she can get it. She doesn't think she can get it. )
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everyonelives2025-03-12 08:39 pm
the riverboat | faith, buffy, rhett, scarlett, mia, william, stefan, melanie, damon, rusty, ezra
Been a long time, Rhett.
[Far too long, but if this gambit he's on succeeds, maybe it will be much more often. He glances over Rhett's shoulder at his wife and smiles.]
Scarlett.
["Russell," she says dryly. "I hope you have a plan."]
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Come here into this hug. He remembers raising Rusty so clearly. But it still feels like another life. )
Russell. It has been too long. I hope these efforts prove fruitful so that we may spend more time with our other son. Wesley sends his best.
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[He would like to have a life where he's not looking over his shoulder. He doesn't know what he will have to do with himself. But at least he'll be free.
He glances over to Melanie with a nod and a smile.]
Have a good flight?
["It seems to me those planes keep getting more and more uncomfortable." Of course they flew first class, but still. "I don't think it will ever be my favorite way to fly."]
I have to say, I agree.
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( Deeply. It's all gone down hill from there. )
Once all the guests arrive, you'll put forth your ingenious plan?
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There's a lot of moving pieces, but if we time things right, we should be able to pull things off.
[The schematics of the boat, the travel lines, everything he knew about the operation - all of it was on that table, as well as the most recent pictures of Wallace and Corsair.]
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"That is our boy," he tells his wife.
Buffy arrives next with Faith, Stefan, and Damon in tow. She sports a chip on her shoulder and a look of determination. She skips pleasantries, zeroing in on the table and the elaborate setup. )
Is this the plan?
( She stretches her arms over one another, cracks her neck, taking a walk around the table.
"Faith," she says to Russell. "This is Stefan and Damon, or what we like to call them, Hero Hair and Who Invited You?" But she smirks, looking back.
"And my answer to that, is the group of witches who sicced a vampire corporation on me, my brother, his future bride-to-be, his estranged Gothic friends, etc," Damon retorts, Buffy glancing up briefly. )
Keep talking like that and someone's invitation might get lost in the mail.
( Rhett peers around at the guests and back to Buffy, 'Are you getting married,' his expression puzzles out. Had he missed this. He does love a good party. She shakes her head. Considers. Half shrugs. Avoids Stefan's eye-line as she focuses on the plans again. )
Looks like timing is key.
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Rusty, however, keeps his focus on Buffy. She doesn't seem to want to deal with pleasantries, so fine by him.]
We'll get on at their stop in Arcadia. Scarlett will smooth the way but I and another witch friend coming along will obscure you and the other Slayers with illusions so they don't know who they're letting on board. Once we're on the boat, we'll wait until we move into this crest of the river, we'll be blocked from prying eyes by the shore. That's when we'll make our move.
[Rusty's personal preference is no survivors to tell the tale. Let the bodies continue to float down until the ship reaches it's cradle.]
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I hope our move is swift and merciless.
( She looks at the layout of the boat. )
Will Wallace and Corsair be in the casino?
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[He shifts the maps and taps the VIP deck.]
They have personal quarters on the boat. Once things get messy, they'll probably barricade themselves there, but Ezra and I will get to them while you deal with the vampires.
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( That doesn't feel right. )
I heard from Mia that we're going to have eyes in the sky, which means I think her brother William is joining, but I wouldn't be surprised if someone turned into a bird.
( "William's on the roster," Faith confirms. "Insisted." She shrugs, can't blame him. Though he doesn't like the carnage as much as she does.
"William Queen," Rhett asks, always aware of his male entrepreneurs, turning to his wife. "Oliver Queen's son."
"Mia's his daughter, so. Checks out," Faith adds, taking a seat and straddling one of the chairs from the back. )
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Is he human?
["He is. If I remember correctly - " Scarlett pauses as she goes back through the six degrees of separation. "Mia is Wes' boyfriend's roommate, William is her brother who is also dating Mickey's friend." Scarlett is a social creature, she is required to know everyone's names before she meets them.
This also does not matter to Rusty.]
Does he need to be our eyes while being on the boat?
["No, he does not." Mia swings in, her gear over one shoulder. "We just have to find the cameras so that he can hack in. Might need a hard link in."]
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William comes in, his own bag slung over his shoulder.
"Brought my suit and everything," William says, feigning disappointment. "Don't worry, I'm used to being the one not in the field. Opening the flap of his bag, he pulls out a pouch and tosses it down onto the table, momentarily eyeing the plans. "There are earbuds in there so we can all stay in communication, and so I can communicate with you guys. Let you know guard sweep schedules. Staff numbers. Impropriety. Mia filled me in on the ship. Vampires. Gambling. Sounds like a party to me." )
It's not a party. It's a facade. Because, behind the gambling and party are trafficked humans and well-fed vampires. And two very powerful witches I'd like to meet personally.
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[To say the least.]
Looks like we're just waiting on Ezra. As soon as he gets here we can run through it.
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( William shakes his head, pulling out his laptop before setting out a hotspot and plugging that in, working through his setup.
"Wouldn't have missed it."
Ezra is the last to arrive, the door shutting behind him in an echo, and he realizes that.
"What, no welcome mat?" he asks, dropping his bag down by the door and joining the others. )
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[He gestures to their final member.]
Everyone, this is Ezra. Ezra, everyone. Let's get started.
[And he will walk them through it just as he did for Buffy. Getting on in Arcadia, and the point at which they'll be able to make their move. The illusions required for those who would draw suspicion aka anyone not Damon, Scarlett, Rhett or Melanie.
That being said, he glances over at William.]
What would you need for access to the security system. The security office is here.
[He taps the room in question.]
I'm not that well versed in technology.
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she spins her chair to face boss man.
"Remote access," he says, pulling out a black drive with a blinking red light. "Someone needs to slip it onto the back of their monitor," or underneath. "And then I'll have eyes. I won't know how difficult controlling their systems will be until I get access." )
Okay. Then one of us will focus on the security office first and foremost, before any moves are made.
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Rusty nods because good, one less thing to worry about.]
I brought assorted weapons for you all to choose from, as you probably couldn't get yours on the plane on short notice, but if there's anything that's not here, let me know and I can try to obtain it before then.
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Ezra pockets a few smaller knives, that will be good to fling magically.
Damon, too, grabs a stake, this one -- painted red, but it's wooden. He shrugs at the drama.
Buffy lands at the end of the rack on a machete, but gold. she swings it. )
We can get weapons on board?
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They won't check for that. Hunters sometimes make excellent appetizers for the main course.
[They are not the first to try and take on the Riverboat. Hopefully they'll be the most successful.
Mia gravitates towards the collapsible bow, and wooden arrows. The arrows can be melee weapons if she doesn't wind up somewhere she can be a sniper. Scarlett and Melanie pack assorted blades, and Stefan also picks up a stake for personal use later.]
Wallace and Corsair have their own cabin on the VIP Floor. Ezra and I will be prioritizing rooting them out. The rest of the vamps are yours to contend with as you see fit.
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( William does grab a stake and a knife, just in case the fight comes to him off site. He doesn't know how high tech they are.
Faith turns back, raising a hand.
"Will it be obvious which fish are friends and which are food?" )
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[Scarlett holds up a finger.]
Since the Riverboat is often a recruiting tool as well as a feeding trough, those with the Tower will be wearing a specific broach.
[She holds up hers, a silver rook piece wound in ivy.]
There will likely be other vampires without it but once the fun starts, I'm sure they'll choose a side - and likely not choose wisely.
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( She sucks in a breath, looking over at everyone, before moving to the front with Rusty. )
Normally, this is where I would tell you to save who you can. But, none of us in this room want this to be traced back to us. The Ivory Tower holds grudges. And I've been told they have ways to arbitrate their grievances. Besides, the victims are also employees. I hate it. And I want to do something about these types of operations after this, but read my lips. No survivors.
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If the humans are being fed on, they're probably not on vervain, right? Couldn't we just compel them?
["Compulsion isn't foolproof," Stefan replies. "And their way of arbitrating things is ... complicated."
Scarlett offers the younger woman a soft smile. "If we're fortunate, perhaps we'll arrive after dinner."]
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Is there a schedule they normally use? ( she asked Rusty. ) A time where there are no humans on board? Like, a restocking?
( She needs the option if she can get it. She doesn't think she can get it. )
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[They usually gather small groups as they go.]
If we get there early enough we can send away any potentials that are looking to get on with us.
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