closed ♔ stealing second after second just cuz i know i can

[behindcloseddoors]

WHO || Spike, Wynn, Dumage, the baddies [Closed]
WHAT || Spike and Wynn enact a daring and stupid plan to pull Dumage out of danger
WHERE || NYC
WHEN || 2016, directly after this
HOW || Actionspam

[ As promised, Wynn meets Spike at the airport, to take him on a private plane back to New York where he just came from. He isn't particularly chatty on the way, although when they've landed, he turns back to regard him. ]

I'll ask one more time if you're certain of this, Sir Spike.  It is your decision, but I will trust your word.

Comments

[bigbad]

Certain would be an overstatement. [That would imply that Spike thinks this plan is a remotely good idea, not a virtual suicide mission.] But I'm not backing out now. Not least because I'm fairly sure that the bad guys can't do anything to me more unpleasant than a third transcontinental flight in less than a day.

[He's being flippant, but it's that or be scared, and he'd rather be flippant any day.]

[wynn]

Do what you can to convince her to leave with you when I grant you the opportunity, but you are not to remove her by force.

If she won't go willingly, then and only then will we leave her to her fate.

[bigbad]

Right. Can't rightly force this sort of choice on her. [If she doesn't make her own choice, they'll never be able to trust her again. Even to the extent that anyone trusts her now.] I got it.

[wynn]

I believe you, about the tenuous nature of her loyalty, but I think that being willing to take this kind of risk for her may prove to actually change that.

She's a survivor, and I imagine she has plenty of reasons to be. But often times it is the faith we put in others that makes them into better people.

[bigbad]

Well, that much I've got.

[He shrugs a shoulder. He knows Dumage is capable of choosing right. He really, really wants to believe she'll come with him. Part of him has been burned too many times and is certain the stake she'll run through his heart won't be metaphorical this time.

Another part of him, the stubborn, foolish optimistic part of him, can't possibly imagine this story ending any other way than her making the right choice.]

Here's hoping it'll be enough.

[wynn]

[ wynn doesn't say anything to that - merely extends his hand, which holds a set of keys. he nods across the lot to where a rental car sits. ]

[bigbad]

Right then. Off I go. [He takes the keys with a look that betrays a little more hesitation than he's actually letting himself voice.] ...where am I going?

[wynn]

The Millennium Hotel. You can find the address on your phone.

[bigbad]

Right then. [He starts towards the car.] See you later if I live long enough, I suppose.

[And he's gonna get into the car and start up the GPS. Drive check 18. So if he knocks over any signs, it'll be on purpose.]

[behindcloseddoors]

[ the hotel is not an impossible find at all, and is milling with the usual business of a new york hotel. the building itself is a skyscraper that sticks out in an area that isn't dominated by other extremely vertical buildings, and a doorman monitors progress in and out of the building, but doesn't give spike more than a cursory look as he enters. ]

[bigbad]

[Spike searches for a directory or an info desk or something, though he's not entirely sure what he's looking for. Maybe Evil Wankers, Incorporated. He's pretty sure he'll know when he sees it. Or their security cameras will pick him up. It's not like he's trying to be subtle.]

[behindcloseddoors]

[ there's a regular front desk here, and also a sign on the wall, that has room numbers listed by floor, including two penthouse suites on the highest. ]

[bigbad]

Well, that's bloody predictable. [Penthouses on the top floors. Gotta be able to look down on everyone. He takes a moment to roll his eyes, then heads for the elevators.]

[behindcloseddoors]

[ the elevator is empty when it opens, and he's treated to a sweet dulcet jazz as it heads upwards towards the staggering heights of the penthouses. which does he choose - the higher or the lower of the two? ]

[bigbad]

[Like ultimate evil would settle for the penultimate floor. Let's go all the way up.]

[behindcloseddoors]

[ to the top!

the elevator dings open into a long hallway with a lush blue rug. there is a little end table with a frilled lamp on it in front of a window, and then one door, with a keycard lock on it. ]

[bigbad]

Security's bloody lax around here.

[But if no one's gonna stop him, he's gonna try and kick the door open (str 25). He could go find someone and try to steal a key card but why bother? Eventually someone's gotta show up and be annoyed at him.]

[extremist]

[ the door actually slams inward, much to the shock of draken crombe, who is sitting within, a tablet on his knee. he looks up, eyes widening at the intrusion, and is on his feet in mere moments, throwing a glance at the other doors, betraying the presence of at least someone else there. ] What in God's name...

[bigbad]

[If this plan goes entirely down the crapper and ends up killing them all, it'll be worth it for the look on Crombe's face right now.]

Spike's name, actually, though I can understand the confusion. Sorry for dropping in like this. I'd've booked an appointment, but it might've given the impression I have any respect for your time at all, and we couldn't have that, could we?

[mindmaster]

[ crombe is on his feet in moments, slamming the end of his cane against the floor, causing the top to retract and reveal a blade. a side door opens and the tall frame of the mind master stands there in the archway, her gaze sliding to spike, and looking him over with that bizarre smirk of hers. ] I didn't realize it was already time for dinner.

[bigbad]

You have a bloody sword cane? [Spike can't stop himself from sounding almost gleeful. Evil or not, that's cool. Then he shakes his head, raising his hands.]

Much fun as I'm sure this dance would be [until he was squished into a paste] I'm not actually here to fight.

[extremist]

[ draken raises his free hand, which is gloved even here in the privacy of his hotel room, as though to stay the mind master from coming closer ]

You expect us to believe that? You take us for fools, I imagine.

[bigbad]

What, do you take me to be foolish enough to charge in here and take on all you wankers at once alone?

[A beat. He definitely gives off the impression he'd do that, doesn't he.]

Don't answer that. I'll make this simple: I'm offering a trade. Set Dumage free, take me instead.

[narcosynthesis]

[ oh hey another door opens. guess who. ] It looks as though someone overestimates his value greatly. [ he folds his arms and leans against the doorframe with a shoulder ]

[bigbad]

[Well, now it's a party. He turns towards Keijen, giving his most impudent smirk. If there's one thing Spike's good at, it's looking eminently punchable.] Just going off Nadia's estimations, mate. She seemed to value me well enough. More than you anyhow.