confronting Evandau

[gistful]

Characters: Evandau, Anton, Hawke, Septimus, whole bunch of others
Date: August 28th, 2014
Location: The Midnight Hotel, may move to outside one of its entrances in one of the five sectors
Situation: It’s time to confront Evandau.
Warnings/Rating: Probable violence, will update accordingly.

By the time Hawke calls Evandau out, the Hotel is as prepared as it’s possible to be. The radio set has been brought in so they can communicate with the teams outside using the portable WWII handset Akito jerry-rigged. Anton has warned the gang-kedan, particularly the Dust-user and distributers, most of whom are hiding upstairs. The commons aside from the lobby have their doors closed; judging by the rowdiness in the living-room still filtering through the door, ‘noise pollution’ is the going excuse. Anton wants his current patrons as protected as they can be, which is why he encouraged a couple of those present to guard the stairs up.

There are a fair few people in the lobby, which isn’t unexpected, but Anton has warned each and every one of them about the Hotel rules and the fact that, if any of them jumps the gun, he will be forced to defend Evandau. Nothing would ruin the plan more than Anton being obliged to stand up against those with whom he would rather be allies. He doesn’t know most of them, but it’s clear that they’re friends of others who are in on the plan; the only person who worries him is Wreath, sitting quietly in a corner behind the entrance.

Anton himself is behind the reception desk, going through his ledgers and waiting quietly for Evandau to arrive, and keeping Daisy the shotgun close at hand under the counter. Just in case.

Comments

before Evandau's arrival

[gistful]

Before Evandau gets there, some quick planning might be in order.

Open

[iwannabeadragon]

After speaking to people over the network, Hawke doesn't waste any time heading for the Hotel. Part of him wonders if he has time to choose his entrance but he doubts it. Instead he enters from the Water Sector and hopes that doesn't come back to bite him. So far his biggest comfort in this whole thing is knowing that Nilin is there to watch his back.

When he arrives, Hawke waits patiently with his arms crossed. He's armed and armored for this, even bringing the Hawke's Key despite how uncomfortable the powerful blade makes him feel. The only thing left to do is wait for the others, and for Evandau.

Re: Open

[gathersnomoss]

Zelgadis had brought his sword and dagger, and also magic -- though magic was less useful inside when you wanted the hotel owner to be civil with you later. That and he remembered rumors that Evandu could shut down magic.

He nodded to Hawke. "I take it the reinforcements stay where Evandu can't see them?"

[iwannabeadragon]

"That would be the smart plan," Hawke replies without looking away from the door. Already he can feel the nervous excitement grow within him. It's the same feeling he gets in every fight. For now he tries to keep it at bay until it's actually needed.

"No sense on letting him know that he's walking into a trap."

[ruinsprofessor]

Raine is no more armored than usual, simply has her staff in hand. She arrives through the Earth Sector, and when she spots Hawke detours briefly to speak to him, skipping greetings and getting straight to business. "How do you plan to approach this beyond provocation?" she asks. She still has some misgivings, and that's evident enough, but she's here. "And where do you want me for this?"

The least she can do is try to make sure everything runs as planned.

[redlightgreenlight]

As she entered through the Fire Sector, Valdis took a moment to take in the scents of the hotel and those of the foreigners gathered for the meeting with the Emperor. The scents were almost overwhelming, but she was able to pick out Hawke's scent with ease. The leader of the foreigners was ready for battle, armored and carrying a sword. She had taken a simpler route, dressed in a wrap around dress and wearing sandals. If it came to a fight, she would shift and deal with the consequences later. She settled her conflicting need for secrecy and her promise to aid the foreigners. It wouldn't do to abandon the situation, that would only damage her reputation, but she had no weapons and shifting was the best way to do battle. All she could do was hope for a peaceful outcome, although a part of her longed for a fight.

[raavashing]

After Wan was done speaking to Anton, he went to set himself up to wait and watch in the lobby. He had noticed the woman in loose clothes when he first entered, but hadn't put much thought to her presence until he was getting his bag of elements set to the side. She was standing there and waiting the same way Hawke was across the room.

Taking a chance, Wan moved over to greet her, "Hello. Are you here to help if things with Evandau get out of hand, too?"

[gathersnomoss]

Zelgadis nodded to Valdis, scouting out his own hiding place from which to observe.

[OOC: Looks like he and Valdis are roommates; if I mis-read, let me know and I'll edit. She'd know he was operating under a boon from Asti keeping him human about half the time]

looking to speak with Anton, but OTA for anyone else that wants to chat up the hippie

[raavashing]

Wan arrived from the wood sector, dressed as he usually was for warmer weather - though he had taken Hawke's sarcastic advice and brought a small satchel full of stone chunks he could easily bend if he needed them. He set the satchel down to one side of the lobby and then sought out 'Anton'. Hawke said he'd need to speak to him first about the availability of certain elements.

[gistful]

The way the man wandered about indicated he was looking for something or someone in particular, so Anton couldn't assume he was simply part of the group intending to speak to Evandau--though certainly, the man's bulging satchel was a tad strange.

Anton caught his gaze and said with a gentle smile, "Hello. I am Anton Shudder, proprietor of this establishment. How may I help you?"

WOOD Entrance / OPEN

[wintershepherd]

Having been asked by Hawke to keep an eye on the Wood Sector entrance of he Hotel, Jack arrived as soon as he was able. He didn't know where Evandau would be coming in, through which Sector, but he was determined to help in any way he could.

He'd heard that some other people might be joining him to help, but anyone who had found out about this and was willing to stand up against Evandau (if it came to that) was welcome to wait with him.

[akito]

Akito had told Hawke weeks ago that he would be back-up for whatever he planned to do regarding the issue with Mal-nyan, and though he hadn't exactly had this in mind when he declared this (Hawke didn't have a choice in the matter), he's more than willing to help. He isn't one for fighting, so watching an entrance is fine by him - even more so because he has Sarah with him, and it makes it easier for him to keep an eye on her.

And then, of course, there's Quintus, who after so many fairy tales with brave knights wants to try his hand at being one for real. Despite being with Skul in the Water Sector, his little turtle-brother makes sure to keep up a running commentary with Akito as to what is going on (nothing) so it's more or less the same as usual.

Viewing it as a good opportunity to get in some more training, Akito will spend his time waiting by bending the water he keeps on him at all times. Shooting it out and then bringing it back; working on aim and speed. He's good at freezing water, though it's been harder in the higher temperatures, and so he freezes it into ice every so often to cool himself off.

All the while keeping an eye on Sarah from his perch in a tree. He trusts her (he's been training her himself, so of course he trusts her), but she's one of the few members of the little family he's carved out for himself on Keeliai. He can't help worrying.

[jinzhong]

Jackie had also been tasked to watch the Wood Sector entrance. He had no idea who'd be there with him, so when he arrived and saw Jack, he broke out into a huge grin.

"Hey, you got dragged into this fungdin peiwaa too, huh?"

Open!

[solo_patria]

While it was not quite possible to gather everything needed for an amazing barricade, Enjolras has the design of one in mind, and a small handcart with some wood and other materials. It is amazing what having a bit of salary can get one in the way of damaged materials these days, though he hopes of course, that at the end of this, he will be left with a large pile of useless wood instead of having things get worse. He's leaving those materials to the side for a moment anyway, and then entering the hotel himself, to get some idea of where he might be needed most.

This is all rather different from the last barricade he managed, but still, the end results are possibly the same. At any rate, there's a brief moment of regret and loneliness, especially for Feuilly, who had gotten the one in Paris up so quickly. It passes though, as it must while he is slipping inside, leaving the cart by the door he's come from, and when he appears in the hotel, his expression is rather serious, clearly devoted to the task at hand.

"I suppose it is rather clear why I've come." He says, by way of greeting for anyone taking charge of this venture right now. "I've got something of a barrier to place outside at any point in case there happen to be...problems. And if there is anything in the way of shoring up or adding some materials to a barricade, anything that is not necessary, I can do better than I have so far."

Fire Sector Entrance | OPEN

[lordhotman]

[Zuko was there just as he had agreed with Hawke. He'd never really gotten a good look at this Evandau guy, but from the sounds of it, he would be pretty easy to pick out. Thus the firebender stations himself near the entrance to the hotel and waits.

As far as he knows, he's the only one covering this entrance. His uncle would be there if he needed him, but Iroh is hanging out in the tea shop until that point.]

[wrathfulkhan]

[Gene's going to be stationed in the hotel itself, but he comes through the Fire Sector entrance, since, hey, that's where he lives. He frowns when he sees only one person monitoring this exit.]

Hey, [he says by way of greeting.] You gonna be the only one out here?

Earth Entrance, Open

[fearlessherosheart]

Tazendra looked alert, despite her attempts to appear inconspicuous. Or as inconspicuous as you could be when you were over seven feet tall and have a sword that would take a normal man both hands to use well.

Granted, anyone who knew Tazendra knew that she was always armed, unless told not to be or bathing, so it's not like she was any more conspicuous this way.

Earth Sector | OTA

[andaway]

Superman looks, weirdly enough, at peace as he waits.

The situation is tense, and there's probably a lot at stake but he's used to that kind of pressure, and he's usually alone in it. This time he's just one more in the team, a piece of the machinery. A heavy hitter in the middle of others with plans- and it makes him nervous to relegate the responsibility, yes... he's so used to everyone knowing his experience and taking his leadership for granted it's slightly terrifying. But it's also refreshing, and liberating.

And at least they are doing something. At least this time they will get some answers, so he will do his best to help them all get them. If that means he has to act the part of a Cerberus and guard one of the doors, then he'll do so gladly.

So he's hovering mid-air in front of the entrance, looking inside with an air of both determination and serenity.

Re: Earth Sector | OTA

[fearlessherosheart]

Tazendra had her own post, but she waved to Superman. "So, we are both to guard this position?" she asked, opening a conversation.

Hotel Lobby | open

[wrathfulkhan]

[Gene is stationed inside the hotel, preparing to ready his illusions with the crimson ring. He's taken Anton's warning to heart, and will be keeping himself well out of any place the temptation to prematurely step in might flare up and force Anton to defend Evandau. He's been meditating as Skulduggery had taught him, and right now he's sitting in the lobby, trying to gather his thoughts and find that calm place within himself before beginning to use the ring.]

[iwannabeadragon]

[Hawke's doing his best to keep himself busy. If he continues to stand there watching the door he'll eventually drive himself insane. Instead he starts check with the people in the building. Most of them he already knows, but this one not so much. Another kid too by Hawke's standards.]

I think you might be the calmest one of us here.

[gistful]

[The stance, the furrow, the deep breathing--they're all familiar. It's not the meditation itself so much as the fact that Anton knows the sequence of methods. Skulduggery used it. Hopeless had used it too. When Anton finds opportunity to pass by the teen, he pauses to speak quietly.]

There is no shame in leaving, if you feel you are unable to be here.

[He can't tell why the boy needs meditation, whether it's for fear or control; but he wouldn't have a child believe he was beholden to a battle.]

Open

[alterer]

Nilin doesn't like this, but it's the best they've got. The plan is solid enough to get away with and if push comes to shove, they've got more than a few fighters around. It's a good plan, but she's still worried.

Teams aren't something Nilin is used to working with, at least not ones of this size and proximity. That said, there's no way she's letting this happen without her, and no way that she's letting Hawke be at risk when she could be there to watch his back.

When Evandau arrives, she'll be present but out of sight, simply watching and ready to strike should the need arise. For now? She's pacing, checking things over at their respective points and making sure there isn't anything they've missed.

[iwannabeadragon]

A hand touches her shoulder. Hawke stands near her, offering a smile in attempt to get her to relax. "You know if you keep that up you'll start wearing holes in the floorboards."

He knows she's worried. If the positions were revered Hawke would feel the exact same way she does. Hell, even now he still worries about her. Knowing that she's here, that she'll be close by and watching his back puts him more at ease though. Of everyone in this room, Hawke trusts her most of all.

"Relax, we'll get through this."

Hotel Lobby | Open

[highprofilerichkid]

Tony enters the Hotel from the Metal Sector. He's wearing, apparently, his normal clothes: no armor in sight. The only thing that's at all unusual is the bulky backpack slung over his shoulders.

Between getting his lab set up and all the drama with Gene, he's been a rather preoccupied, but now that the ball is rolling on this weird war he's supposed to be fighting in, he feels like he actually ought to, you know, show up and fight.

Or, er, maybe not fight— not yet, at least. This meeting with the Emperor has been billed as just that: a meeting. Tony's been made to understand that, though they should be prepared for violence to break out, they are not to instigate it. Lest they face the wrath of the creepy sorcerer guy who runs this joint. He takes his rule about the hotel's neutrality very seriously, apparently.

Tony eyes the growing crowd, spotting a few faces he recognizes, and plenty he doesn't. Yep, that must be the creepy sorcerer proprietor, and... there's Hawke, the man who's organized this whole thing. Tony nods at him in acknowledgement.

Now that he's shown up, Tony's not really certain what it is that he ought to be doing. Standing around looking innocent until the fighting breaks out, he supposes.