everyonelives | i'm leaving you my last curse

[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.

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. )

[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.

Alright, we're in a holding pattern then. And we move on your go.

( Rusty is the de-facto leader now. Buffy was, but Rusty runs this show, doesn't he. It's his grudge. He's the one invested. Buffy lost people. Mia did, too. )

But, if this complicated someone may interfere, you let me know earlier rather than later. We get this one chance.

He can't interfere.

[It's probably the one thing they have in their benefit is that the Arbiter is that he has to keep his hands clean to at least maintain his appearance of impartiality.]

He's the Arbiter. He can't get his hands dirty.

[Scarlett frowns, leaning back in her seat as she got the closest to actually recognizing the title at least (10). "Why do I know that title?" The rest of mine rolled under ten, so it means nothing to them.]

( Buffy knows the name the Immortal, as it caused drama for her once upon a time without her knowing, and a girl that looked very much like her shared a burden she stepped up for, but the arbiter passes over. William, too, does not know the name, nor recognize the face getting one number under Buffy. Finally, Rhett doesn't either rolling worse than anyone, apparently.

"You tend to know the influential names, my love," Rhett says, looking away, but speaking to everyone on the comms.

Faith on the other hand and her (nat 20) surprises you, me, and everyone, as she turns, on deck. She ashes her cigarette over the side. Probably not environment-friendly. It is what it is. )

He's old, he's impartial, and he only shows up when he needs to rule on a judgment. 'Less you're involved, you don't get involved and neither does he. I was pulled into one of his circus acts a few years back.

( "Like some supernatural jury duty?" Buffy asks, frowning. "How I not know about this?" )

'Cause you weren't his supernatural witness, B. And until you mentioned the name, it's like I forgot. He's judge, jury, and executioner. And you step off the beaten path, he silences you literally. Facts are facts with him. Heard someone was silenced monk-style for a week for lying. Got sequestered with another unlucky lady in waiting.

( "That doesn't mean what you think it means," Buffy says, exchanging a look with Stefan. "Unless it does."

"I hope it does for Faith's sake," Rhett says, smirking. )

[Rusty blinks, his back straightening at Faith's assessment, because it's more or less accurate.]

That sums it up, yeah.

[He then shakes his head, because he shouldn't be surprised.]

He also has an assistant, October. She's usually the one you'll meet in the real world, unless he's been ... invited somewhere.

Don't remember an October, but I'm guessing that's a part of the memory wipe.

( She blinks. )

Maybe she does it.

( A second passes, Faith's cigarette dropping out of her hand, as if her memory resets. )

What was I saying?

( "You were a lady in waiting," Rhett says, taking a sip. )

I think this boat's jamming our signals.

( "Rusty, care to explain why Faith's coming up blank?" )

The witnesses don't always remember it happened afterwards. Keeps everyone from petitioning him about every little thing or things they could resolve themselves.

[Doesn't stop the people who learn and know from trying however.]

I was a petitioner. I don't get to forget.

( "I forget something?" Faith asks, realizing the cigarette is on her dress. She pulls at the fabric, bouncing it onto the deck, stepping on it. )

Later. ( Buffy and Stefan up at the bar, turn back to face the room again. ) So, he can't interfere, but knows you're here - and us. And he can't do anything about this? Can't say anything. Can'd do anything after. How... neutral. He's like literal Switzerland. Do you get a chocolate for telling your side of the story?

Not that I'm aware of. Though after my petition didn't go the way I hoped, I wound up in Hershey, so technically yes but not the same quality you're implying.

[But Faron will stay out of it. That's the important thing.

In the meantime, one of Brannigan's lieutenants, a slim, elegant man named Barnabus settles next to Scarlett and Rhett. "Scarlett, darling, have you heard? Brannigan made a rather delicious move."

Scarlett raises an eyebrow. "Is that so? I haven't heard anything."]

All chocolate is quality chocolate, even the mass manufactured.

( Rhett looks up from the hand he's holding, listening to Barnabus.

"Delicious can be relative," he goads. "Brannigan does have discerning tastes. Do tell us." )

["Rumor has it that he's staged an attack against the Slayers. And with a rather impressive amount of casualties too." Barnabas takes a sip of his drink, before leaning back in his chair as he studies the hand of cards dealt to him.

If nothing else, him bragging about this directly to Rhett and Scarlett's faces indicates that the Tower still wasn't aware of the presence at the Butlers at the event.

"He hasn't come back to brag yet, though I'm sure it's only a matter of time. You know how he likes to gloat."

Scarlett raises an eyebrow over the edge of her own cards, face impassive (19).]

Brannigan was always one to gloat. And never really one to change.

( Rhett's face is less passive (12), but his eyes stay on his own paper, so-to-speak, as he keeps his gaze downward. )

Gloating is one of his great past times, when he isn't flirting with anything that moves. Is he on his way back?

( That would be a long journey to take in from the Riverboat. )

["Not that I've heard. Much more likely he's taking the time to dance on all their graves." Barnabus rolls his eyes. "The Slayers have been a problem for far too long. It was much more manageable when there was just one of them. Then you knew exactly who to kill."

Scarlett presses her lips together, knowing that three of those Slayers are not too far away listening.]

I don't know, Barnabus. Brannigan also likes to take credit for other people's work, if I remember correctly. And who knows, maybe they got him just as badly as he got them.

The thing about killing the one slayer, is, that everyone thinks they can, and then she just goes right on living.

( And they die. )

He could be licking his wounds.

He could, you're right. I suppose we'll have to see when he chooses to resurface and take his victory lap.

[Only she knows all too well that he never will.]

What a shame. I was so looking forward to seeing him.

[She was not, but Barnabus doesn't seem to notice. "I'm sure you'll see him next time, darling. He'll be disappointed he missed you."]

Well, you certainly aren't disappointed. You were able to see us both, and we do rarely come around these parts. You're always such wonderful hosts. We always feel very taken care of, Barnabus.

( He sets down three cards and takes three, sitting back. )

It's a shame the slayers took Brannigan away from us. We were looking forward to seeing the old sport.

["Yes, well. The priorities of the Tower come before all else." Barnabus sounds bored, for the most part, but Scarlett sees something in his eyes that doesn't land quite right (19). She raises an eyebrow before trading some cards from her hand.]

Are you in or out, Barnabus?

[He blinks, and she gestures to the table.]

Your hand, darling.

["Right." He looks at his cards, before waving a hand. "Bah. I think I'll fold. Luck doesn't seem to be on my side tonight."]

Perhaps, tomorrow. ( He sets down triple aces, before offering a hand to shake. ) Old friend. ( He turns to the dealer. ) My dear, would you mind cashing me out. I think my chips may serve me better at the roulette wheel. What do you think, Scarlett?

( He glances to the window, overlooking the edge of the river. )

I forgot how far out we go.

[Scarlett nods as she gets up to follow, taking her drink and falling in next to her husband.]

It is a lovely night to be out on the water.

[She eyes the shore, trying to align herself to where they are in their plan.]

Almost makes it seem as though we're the only ones out here.

Who doesn't like getting away from it all.

( He lifts his glass to Barnabus before offering his arm to his wife. He doesn't hide his leveled gaze across the room and around to his companions (7) well, but he tries to cover it as he's scanning the room for anyone else he knows. )

Is Ingrid on board?

[She pauses before shaking her head.]

I haven't seen her. Maybe she went with Brannigan on his little folly.

[She knows that she didn't, but that's more for the benefit of anyone that may be listening.]

We'll be seeing you around, Barn.

( He spins Scarlett around, keeping her hand in his, giving her a twirl. He starts a slow dance to the music, bringing her close and talking to everyone. )

I believe we are close. Russell, is your friend Faith forgot still here?

( Faron, after knocking and not receiving a word, returns to the main area. He glances over at Rusty, and then he shimmers out. )

[Rusty inclines his head in acknowledgement as the Arbiter departs, and then a small, more menacing smile crosses his face.]

He's just seen himself out. I think it's time we get this party started.

[He raises his hand, prepared to drop the illusions en masse.]

Are we ready?

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