video // public to all // late saturday night

[bancroft]

[ If there's a look that few of you have seen on Thomas Bancroft's face yet, it's this level of somberness.  There's not a single note of his usual joy etched into his expression: rather, he seems to wear all the weight of his many years for everyone to see. ]

These are hardly the circumstances I wanted to first address you all together under.

But I thought it should be known that Sir Francesca, whom a great deal of you know and have benefited from meeting, whether because of her talent for putting each and every one of us at ease in the most dire of circumstances, or because you've had the honor to serve with her in the field, fell today at the hands of our enemy.  She fought nobly, and died the same way as she lived.

With a helluva lot of honor.

[ His expression clouds and he glances behind him briefly ]

We're returning to London at once, and as she wished, we'll be attempting to resurrect her.  [ He stares dully at the camera for a moment, then works his jaw to the side and reaches forward to flick it off ]

May the gods be with us in our attempts to bring her home.

Comments

[bigbad]

[Spike looks pale. To be fair, that's not all that unusual for him.]

She... what? When did this... How?

[bancroft]

A matter of hours ago, in the course of our mission. A turncoat allowed dark elves into the municipal building of the human settlement, and she tried to stop them from executing the innocents.

[bigbad]

And instead got executed herself? Didn't she have some sort of... I don't know, back-up? Someone who could have kept her from dying?

[bancroft]

[ oh god, don't even start, spike. thomas really can't stop himself from delivering a tight, sarcastic reply. ] What a novel idea. We'll have to try that in the future.

[bigbad]

[The sarcasm really isn't appreciated. Spike scowls.] Maybe if you do, my friends won't get killed.

[bancroft]

Come back and try that comment again in a century, when you've known Francesca that long, like some of us have.

If there was a way to stop this, it would have been stopped. That is not a point to discuss, and I won't have you throwing out accusations during a time when people are suffering enough. Find a better way to grieve.

[bigbad]

How about answering my bloody questions from the start instead of being a dick about it?

[bancroft]

[ He gives Spike a grim, suddenly very dangerous looking tight smile, his teeth looking remarkably sharp as he does so. ]

Considering you're the one making accusations about our being responsible for her demise, while we're all in the midst of grieving her loss, I'd have to say I'm perfectly within my rights to be as unpleasant as I possibly can in this conversation.

You arrogant fool.

[bigbad]

[And Spike's still just glaring.] I didn't accuse you of a bloody thing. Big bad Dragon's Claw like you ought to know the difference between an accusation and a question asked in grief and confusion. She's lived a long time. Maybe I was trying to find out how that time could end so abruptly. You didn't have to get defensive.

[He leans forward, eyes glinting dangerously now. Mouthing off to someone who could probably kick his ass and definitely get him fired has given him something to focus on other than grieving and being angry, at least.] But you did. Why's that? Are you feeling responsible, perhaps?

[slay]

[ Okay, that's it. The usual Spike being an ass, she can deal with, because she didn't know Francesca that well and he clearly knew her better and he's grieving in whatever capacity a soulless thing can grieve. But, mouthing off to Thomas like that is a stupid fucking idea, and he has no business blaming him.

So, she stomps over, grabbing the phone out of his hand and putting her other hand on his arm, a firm gaze locking on his. It's not aggressive exactly, just enough to put him in his place. ]

Spike, stop. Do you even realize how out of line you are right now? Francesca's dead. Show some respect.

[65]

[Finnick's not going to reply to this, but he is going to go cry somewhere after watching it. He really liked Francesca, okay. He really liked her and she was the first person to make him feel welcome. :( ]

[bancroft]

[ WHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY ]

[attollores]

[Alainn stares at the screen as Sir Thomas speaks, all color draining from her face. Even with an organization as vast as the Knights there was hardly anyone who didn't know Francesca, and those unlucky enough to not know her had now been robbed of something very dear. She had been a Knight far longer than three quarters of those currently serving and her time there, though quiet, had left it's mark.

There were no words she could say but to echo Thomas's last. And to hope that whoever had done this would be brought to swift justice.]

May the gods be with us.

[bancroft]

She'd be glad to know our mission was a success, at least.

[attollores]

She'll be glad of the news when she comes back to us. [This is said with pure conviction, though it's hard to tell if it is supposed to be a comfort merely to herself or him.]

[bancroft]

Aye. Aye, that she will.

[attollores]

When do you expect to be back at the castle?

[bancroft]

By morning. Or thereabouts.

[attollores]

I'm meeting you there. Do you need anything, Thomas?

[bancroft]

Nothing that doesn't already come in convenient tiny bottles on the airplane.

[attollores]

How bout I get us a couple of big bottles to share later? [She sounds like she could go either way, if he wants to be alone she understands, and if not then she would be glad to keep him company.]

video;

[dragonsclaw]

I'm truly sorry to hear this, Thomas.

It's never any less difficult.

[ironsides]

[ And a very mournful looking dwarf ] Ye can't be serious...

What a cruel jape on fate's behalf this is.

[And then, with more determination in his voice:] Bring her home safely, boys. That one never gives up easily.

She'll be back.

[koraith]

[ Koraith's whiskers are all as droopy as can be )8 ]

What terrible terrible tidings.

I wish the rest of you a safe return. And if there is anything I can do...

[postergirl]

[ Dumage actually looks entirely horrified, and doesn't even talk for a moment, staring in shock, instead. When she speaks, her voice is laced with vitriol. ]

Yes, it looks like honor did her so much good in the end. [ She bristles and then just... hangs up. To go find some booze. ]