because the lives of the wicked should be made brief

[somanyadjectives]

Comments

[deathlessness]

[The witch leans just enough that the glass flies past him (16), but his eyes meet Damon, almost as though it's the first time he's noticing that Damon is relevant.

"We have no quarrel with vampires. We're only here for the witch."

So Damon is free to divest himself of this scenario, as he sees fit.

Freya raises an eyebrow.]

You know, I don't speak Greek. But I will say that I wouldn't want to impose upon your evening.

[They've just met after all. Damon doesn't have to stay and defend her honor. But he also seems like he's spoiling for a fight, and she won't stop him.]

[unforgivably]

Unlucky for you, I've always had a soft spot for witches. And, I haven't heard a good reason for this so-called "quarrel."

( He makes the quotation gesture, of course. )

[deathlessness]

Because I'm working on a little project, and they don't like it.

[The lead witch turns to face them. "You need to stop searching. What you seek is not for you to find."]

Maybe. Maybe not. But I'm not going to stop just because your masters tell me to.

["Then you brought this on yourself." He raises his hands to start to cast and Freya shrugs, glancing over the side of the bar and nodding to the knife the bartender is using to cut lemons.

Freya lifts a hand, magically flings the knife (nat 20 vs. 13) and it slices firmly into the witch's vocal chords, forcing them to choke on their own blood. The witches they brought with them let out a small scream of surprise, and Freya glances back over her shoulder to the bartender.]

I'd take a break, Evangeline.

[She nods, quickly, before ducking down behind the bar to get out of the line of fire. She then turns back to the quintet of witches surrounding them.]

Anyone else want to try?

[unforgivably]

Masters. Someone's gotta tell them that is so nineteenth century.

( The witch drops with a gurgle as Damon cracks his knuckles. )

In case you need any backup.

[deathlessness]

By all means.

[And with that, things descend into chaos. There are five witches remaining. Three of them go to swarm Freya (1, 13, 8), and she deflects their spells accordingly (14, 19, 3), save for the last that pushes her back into the bar.

Two of them go after Damon (13, 5), drawing stakes as clearly they anticipated vampire interference, even if this isn't the vampire they expected.

Freya grits her teeth before throwing a spell at the one that critfailed, (16 vs. 12), pushing them back to give herself some room.]

[unforgivably]

( Damon's a little cornered, also against the bar, and watches Freya take the brunt of another spell, so both blows land as he goes on the defense, arms coming up to shield his pretty face (3, 5).

Using his frustration, he tries shoving his palm at one witch to send him flying back (7) and tries to redirect two's stake into himself, sorry not sorry. (16) )

[deathlessness]

[The first witch dodges Damon's blow (18), and the second catches the force of the stake, not able to bat it back, but unfortunately holding it steady as they try to fight back (16)

One tries to come to their partner's aid, taking their own stake and attempting to jab it into Damon's side (13), while Two just holds in place, not wanting to risk Damon getting the upper hand.

Freya takes another round of blows (7, 6, 15), and does her best to deflect (nat 20, 9, 14). The first witch goes down with a snapped neck, dropping to a useless pile on the floor, the second spell is blocked, but the third lands, snapping her arms down to her sides to prevent her from casting briefly.]

[unforgivably]

( Damon focuses too much on the stake grappling, so he takes the fist holding the stake to the face. (4)

Damon tugs both him and his grappling witch a way, One missing getting him with the stake.

Turning, he tries to throw Two over the bartop to the other side, (8) before directing a kick at One (3). )

[deathlessness]

One dodges the kick (15), stepping back before whipping out an aneurysm spell (17) to try and distract as best she can. Two lets Damon at least get him up into the bar, before planting his feet on top of it and holding firm (14), attempting to push the stake down again (8).

More spells fly on Freya's side (11, 19), and both spells hit home (9, 9), lifting a nearby barstool and slamming it into her gut with a groan.

She grits her teeth before pushing up and trying to fling Four back (1 vs. 2), but failing but managing to knock Five back with the same barstool (14 vs. 4).]

[unforgivably]

( Damon gets hit with an aneurysm (7), beginning to buckle under the pain, but he's done this dance before and he knocks Two's feet from under him before he can plunge the stake down (nat 20), so he hits the bar hard and rolls off - hopefully not onto Evangeline.

He tries speeding to One and grapples him around the throat (also nat 20!) )

[deathlessness]

[Two comes down hard, head hitting the edge of the bar with a sickening crunch, and lands on the floor behind, unmoving. One goes without much of a choice in the matter, vocal chords collapsing under the force of his grip.

Freya weathers another two swings (4 vs. 4, 10 vs. 3), battering her back into the bar, and she grits her teeth, focusing in on Four and starting to chant the blood boiling spell under her breath (16 vs. 8) and Four can't help but scream in pain in response.]

[unforgivably]

( Damon drops the limp witch body down and turns to Freya, taking the stake from the dead witch's hand and trying to land it in one of the witch's backs. (non nat 20) )

[deathlessness]

[Five has a brief moment of glancing down, seeing the splash of red spread across their chest, before they realize that it's a stake in their back (3), and collapse to the ground.

Four continues to scream, trying to force out a spell but unable to maintain his focus (5 vs. 8).

Freya maintains the spell (10 vs. 9), forcing Four down to the ground but Four isn't giving up the ghost just yet.]

[unforgivably]

( (16) for Damon to twist Four's neck. )

[deathlessness]

[Freya relaxes, releasing the spell like releasing a held breath, before looking up at Damon with a small smile.]

Thanks for the assist.

[She slowly pulls herself into a standing position, before glancing over her shoulder.]

You alright back there, Eva?

[A thumbs up appears from behind the bar, though the bartender doesn't rise to see the carnage awaiting her. "I'm gonna call Marcel for cleanup. How many bodies are we dealing with?"]

[unforgivably]

Mmm. Six. No. Yep. Six. I think.

( Give him a second to orient himself. Seven? He brings his hands to Freya's shoulders to check in, and brace her if need be. She's a witch, but this is a lot of carnage. )

I'd like to complain about the Welcome to the City vibes Rousseau is trying for. I love a good dustup as much as the next new-in-town vampire, but, it left a lot to be desired. I thought your guys would put up much more of a fight.

[deathlessness]

Oh, don't worry. We usually do.

[Circumstances being what they are, however, things have been running a little thin.]

The last time someone tried, they lost. In a big way. So they waited until the crowds were thin, until I was alone. Hell, Eva isn't even supernatural.

["God, could you imagine me as a vampire? I'd pass out every time I have to eat - hey Marcel. We've got some more. About six? Cool, see you in a bit."

Freya turns back to Damon.]

Eva has a small thing about blood.

[unforgivably]

I meant them.

( But, fair enough. )

And they weren't counting on me being here. Well, then that sounds like my cue. I'm used to making an impression with my arrival, but, ( he kicks one of the dead witches. ) way to steal my thunder. Any way I could get a do over? Maybe after close?

[deathlessness]

I think that could be arranged.

[She glances down at her watch, then back at the bodies.]

I'm not sure they need me for this. We should probably stick together, just in case there are more out there.

[She's providing an opening to his opening. She liked their energy. But she would also understand if he was just looking for an out.]

[unforgivably]

Strength in formidable numbers.

( And aren't they both? He's still electric, jumping out of his skin. He needs to push through all this anxious energy. But, how to? )

I'm staying right around the corner.

[deathlessness]

Lovely.

[She reaches for her jacket, before glancing over the bar to her bartender.]

You'll be alright until Marcel gets here?

["Yeah, he's not far. You're sure they're all dead, right?"

Freya nudges one with her foot on her way out and nods.]

Yeah, none of them are getting up again.

[unforgivably]

And if they do, Marcel can add more to his - what's the rumor. Unstoppable vampire army?

( What, he knows things. )

Or, you can put them out of their misery. ( He puts a stake ontop of the bar. It rolls toward Eva. ) Happy stabbing. Shall we?

[deathlessness]

[Eva reaches up to catch the stake, but beyond that, she stays behind the bar. Freya delicately steps over one of the bodies to take Damon's arm and off they go.

And if she happens to go inside for a night cap when they get to Damon's hotel, then all the better for them both. Adrenaline is a heady thing.]

[unforgivably]

( Yep, and nightcaps are a good thing. )