i'm leaving you my last curse

[bravebartender]

Comments

[blackstarred]

Gotcha. Do you still need to make rounds on a boat?

[Not that she's complaining. She lets her eyes scan over the terminals, seeing if there's a spot for her to plug in and give William access (16).]

I mean, if everyone's down in the casino, do you just look in and then head back?

[attainathons]

( There, is, on the back corner of the main, larger monitor.

"One of us has to stay on cameras, they can handle the rounds." And no, he's not going to explain what the rounds consist of. (Both on and below deck, yep.) "Why, worried they'll interrupt us?" he asks, hands resting on his spinny-chair.

William gags. )

[blackstarred]

[Mia is also gagging on the inside, to be sure.

She moves towards the big monitor before pushing herself up on the desk, keeping her attention on the security guard. She crosses one leg over the other as she attempts to slip the drive into the monitor while he's distracted by the bit of leg and the fall of her dress (17).]

Maybe. I'm not a girl who likes unfinished business.

[There's a bit of a double entendre in that, but not the kind he's thinking.]

[attainathons]

( His eyes linger for a long time at the slip of skin and the fall of her dress that he completely misses her maneuver (6).

"What about pleasure?" he asks, pushing the chair out of the way so that he cans step closer to her. )

[blackstarred]

[The drive plugged in, she rests one hand against his chest, playing with the lapel of his jacket. Mia raises an eyebrow, but her question isn't to him, it's her brother on the other end of the line.]

You in?

[attainathons]

( He leans close, teasing, flirty, but doesn't seal the deal. He thinks she's in the palm of his hand, too, as much as he is in hers. His lips trail along, hovering close, a smile forming. "I just have to make sure we aren't interrupted, you understand."

"Yeah, yeah. In. Can you stake this guy, already," William asks.

"I second that," Buffy says under her breath through a smile. )

[blackstarred]

As you wish.

[The grabs the wooden stake she strapped to her thigh and brings it up hard and fast (nat 20), shoving it into his chest where his heart should be.

She can't say he hasn't earned it. Why do vamps have to be so gross?]

[attainathons]

Did she -

( Buffy looks over at Stefan, a nice (5) for her poker face as she realizes it's her turn, and luckily, their dealer is a women.. )

I mean. Hit me.

( "Bust. Bold to hit on a face card," the dealer says. Buffy shrugs.

"I didn't mean, literally," William says. He doesn't think Buffy meant it literally, either. "Stash him or dump him, because there are two security vampires expecting their third security vampire friend to be there with you when they come back. Or, without you if they think you went off somewhere and -- I'm not finishing this sentence." )

[blackstarred]

Then you shouldn't have said "stake."

[It's not like they weren't going to kill him anyway. But fine, now she has a body to deal with before the others get back.

She remembers a utility closet not far from here, and provided she has enough time. Or she can toss the body over the back deck. Or, she'll quickly scan around the room to see if there's somewhere in the security office she can hide him (15).]

I'll take care of it.

[attainathons]

( Remembering the schematics of the ship, it might be better to stash his body in a utility closet closer by. She'd have to go back down the hall, out the sliding door and then onto the deck, which is technically being patrolled by the two other security vampires.

There is a locked, metal truck if she wants to break a lock, or search his body for keys. )

[blackstarred]

[She takes a deep breath, weighing her options.]

William, where are the guards now?

[Where they are will ultimately decide what move she makes, but for now she'll pat the guy down looking for keys that may match the lock.]

[slavophile]

There's one on each end of the ship, starboard and port side. ...I think I know ship directions.

( He does not know if he knows ship directions, but this tells her they are each at opposite ends. She probably has some time.

There is a ring of keys! Is she good at identifying keys? She can do a sleight of hand check if she'd like. )

[an_honestword]

[She is not (5). But she will steal them for later in case they have to get into other places on the ship. Instead, she's just going to haul up the vampire corpse, doing a quick glance to make sure the hallway is clear, before heading for the utility closet and stashing the body (nat 20).

If they come back to an empty security room, she has a feeling that it's probably expected for a guy that gross.

And as she makes her way back out again, she raises an eyebrow at Rusty, who's been gripping his glass a little too tightly as he makes conversation. He excuses himself from his current conversation and moves to another part of the boat, but out of the corner of his eye he catches something familiar (18), and tries not to let his attention linger too long, but as he rounds the corner, he finds himself drawn to a stop, eyes widening at the Arbiter sitting casually in the middle of the room.]

You shouldn't be here.

[This is probably not his best move. Given that he can likely see through their flimsy disguises, there's a chance that he will give them away. But he can't help but want him gone for what comes next.]

[walkouts]

( Arbitration is a waiting game, and can sometimes last months, depending on what he's been dragged into. It forms differently. It requires different obligations. It is an unwavering rite.

Some of the time, it requires political maneuvering and invitations he can't say no to, especially if he's arbitrated them before. The same case can't be arbitrated again, but someone else can call for arbitration. Sometimes, it's all about angles. Very rarely does a new angle change the outcome, but people try.

His is fearsome. He is calculating. He is formidable. And he sees what shouldn't be seen. )

You aren't here.

( Except, he is, isn't he?

And no, Faron doesn't go anywhere he shouldn't be, where he isn't expected to be.

He turns to face him, setting his glass down before rising up from his chair. )

[an_honestword]

[Rusty's jaw sets, anger flaring because he remembers what happened the last time he was before the Arbiter. It didn't end well for him, and he didn't think the arbitration was particularly fair, but he was bitter and a little insane at that point.

Still, he doesn't want the Arbiter here for what's coming next. He takes another step closer and dropping his voice.]

Why are you here? I wouldn't have expected this to be your ... scene.

[walkouts]

I wasn't aware I had a scene. Tell me, what are my lines? And how should I say them?

( A glean in his eye, his mouth curls into a smile. )

What should I call you? Shakespeare? I'll just call you the Bard. Make things easy on everyone.

( He purses his lips. Catastrophe. )

You're the last person I'd think might call out my scene. I was extended an invitation. And we both know there are some invitations I can't refuse. Even for a few minutes of face time. How long do I have to... turn the page today?

[an_honestword]

[Rusty's eyes wander off the side of the boat, eyes pinpointing where they are on their journey down river. He takes a moment too long answering before Stefan's voice is in his ear:

"Do we have a problem?"]

No.

[Then his attention comes back to Faron.]

Maybe a half hour? Give or take.

[walkouts]

( Buffy glances to Stefan, back around them nonchalantly. (dirty 20 as she folds and stretches. She pulls herself off of her chair to smooth out her dress, concerned and curious but not interrupting. )

Give or take. I always found you to be much more precise. I'd ask if you were flying by the seat of your pants but - ( He spots the others, cloaked. ) you're not alone. Crashers. How quaint.

[an_honestword]

The Tower made a move against someone they shouldn't have. I'm just facilitating.

[So long as he's getting something he wanted out of it.]

It's beneath your concern. It's ... what did you call it? A petty concern that does not rise to the level of interest you require.

[Oh yeah, he's still bitter. But he's sure that the Arbiter sees the point.]

[walkouts]

You also didn't follow the law to the letter. We all play by the same rules.

( Even if they'd rather the rulebook thrown out altogether. )

Facilitating. You and your angles. ( he can see through you in more ways than one. ) You're making another move. I do appreciate you not involving me this time. You weren't the only individual whose ire I drew the last time you tried to call on my services.

[an_honestword]

Yes, well, I learned the hard way not to expect much from your judgement.

[He tips his head to the side.]

And some of my companions prefer to handle things themselves.

[walkouts]

Still, you see me as the enemy. And not an impartial third party. I am not help. And people who call on me for help learn that the hard way.

( Like you did. )

I need to make a physical appearance without arousing suspicion.

( He can't betray Rusty even if he wanted to. )

I trust you won't start your vendetta with me still in attendance?

[an_honestword]

[Rusty hasn't seen the Arbiter as an impartial third party in a long time. He can't help but feel that his judgements are weighted, but he's also blinded by his own anger and his own suffering.]

No. We'll wait until you leave.

[He will not mention the fact that one of the Slayers has already taken out one of the vampires.]

I appreciate your discretion.

[walkouts]

He chooses respect.

( Or, he has no choice. )

Your appreciation is noted, William.

( Shakespeare.

"Do I get to ask who this guy is," William asks, wondering if he's speaking through the third party straight to him. Is he? Maybe. )

[an_honestword]

[Rusty steps away, letting Faron make whatever pleasantries he has to where Rusty doesn't have to keep complicating things. As he leans over the railing to look at the water, he will respond to William.]

He's someone complicated. If you really want me to explain, I will later, but no one make any more moves until we're sure he's off the boat.