Quickencon: The Roleplay

[Kratos Krisna]

Edmond held Duncan's blade in his hand as his unworthy foe struggled to free himself from the dirt beneath.

"How was the asphixiation?" Adrien asked. "What was it like dying in an airless box over and over? Are you going to put up more of a futile struggle, or are you going to listen to how things are going to be from now on?"  

[Immortal Methos]

1798

Duncan MacLeod spit out another mouthful of dirt as he glared up at Adrien Beaulieu through his one whole eye, but he stilled. Adrien had the upper hand -- it was well worth the hit to the Highlander's pride to lie in the packed dirt of his grave and listen to what the other Immortal had to say.  

[Kratos Krisna]

Edmond MacDonnell's words were compelling, to say the least. After forbidding the Highlander to speak, he laid down the following terms:

"You are going to go away and never come back. Adrien Baliue is dead. That is a past life. Unlike you, MacLeod, I can change and grow. You might have started a war between 3 clans who remember no ties with you. There are two coinciding Clan MacDonnells in these Highlands. Your native Clan MacLeod has been at war with them for some time. Now that they've buried their hatchets, you've attacked a Clan MacDonnell wedding. This should sew some distrust between the clans, and start a new war. This time my new family will be victimized. You might have just killed my wife after all. Which was of course your motive for striking me at my own wedding, of all places. You could have killed me in the days before and after it, but you picked the lavish ceremony. Or maybe you just wanted to get caught. If starting a war was your way of revenge, then you're the sickest man I've ever met and I should kill you now.

He paused before continuing. "But there's not going to be a war. I had the chiefs of each clan examine you an see if they recognised you. None of them did. You know this. Your performance when I had your grave examined by the heads of all three clans was impressive. You actually looked dead. Even to me. Of course, with the exception of your eye your features appeared quite healthy. The locals believe you to be a hellish Revenant, and I have no intention of telling them otherwise. You were uried accordingly. So you can understand why we reburied in a coffin sealed with iron nails buried with your feet over your head. Placing a stone over your upside down grave was taxing, but worth it. I will let you leave, MaccLeod, but don't be seen, and never return to your homeland. The next step in sealing something like you is to cut off it's head and burn the remains to ashes. Remember that when you avoid detection."  

[Immortal Methos]

MacLeod lay there and listened to the other man silently. His regenerating eye itched, but he didn't move. He was seething inside, realizing that his public death would keep him from his beloved Scotland for a hundred years.

When Edmond paused, Duncan said roughly, "If you think I planned this, then I must be mad indeed. My only motive was to pay you rightly for what you did to Myra. I apologize for interrupting your wedding, on your wife's behalf."

Here he paused, as if the words were bitter in his mouth. The pain he felt for his lost love was written freshly on his dirt-smeared features. "Give me my sword, and we'll finish this."

It was a stupid thing to ask -- his arms were aching from the effort of digging out of his unusual grave. He was sick and weary beyond death, and had only one working eye. Mentally he was kicking himself.  

[Gaston Marceau]

The Immortal currently known as Etienne Theriot (and known in the past by several other names too high profile for his teacher's taste) isn't sure if Methos isn't going to attend QuickenCon or not. When approached about it by Dawson, Methos, et al, he'd made several disparaging comments and shrugged noncommitally.

This was all a cover for his latest round of hijinks.

Although he styles himself Methos' Favorite Student, nothing pleases Etienne more than giving the old man an embolism or two. He'd had to do his research on this one, though he was pretty sure that he'd be able to pull off this stunt. Images of past QuickenCons had demonstrated that fans of multiple fantasy and sci-fi genres had attended the event.

So it is that a Klingon Warrior marched proudly into QuickenCon 2010. Etienne spared no expense...the grey ribbed vest is vinyl trimmed with silver and gold fabric, and outlined in metal. The pants are black leather. The boots have the characteristic horn. A fair sized resin disruptor is holstered on his hip. A long mane of black hair cascades out from the gnarled ridged headpiece. Etienne's natural beard and bulky build make him look pretty fearsome if he says so himself.

Naturally, with so many Immortals present, the full size bat'leth strapped to his back is quite heavy and razor sharp.

The Klingon marches through the crowds with purpose, the anime and other less butch nerds giving him a wide berth. More than a few Immortals step aside too...even if they've never met before, Etienne gives off a well earned confidence of a seasoned Immortals who's taken an above average number of heads for someone of his relatively few years.

He's disappointed not to see Methos yet, but does recognize Dawson and MacLeod making their initial rounds. Unfortunately, it's the Highlander's turn to be the target of Etienne's humor...Dawson is temporarily immune after the whole DHL incident, after all...so what follows is nothing personal. The Klingon approaches MacLeod from behind (easy enough in the crowd), smacks him heartily across the shoulders, and lets loose with a belly laugh that is sure to rattle the rafters. “YOU! You filthy old todsaH of a razorbeast, I was hoping you'd have the blood to show your face here!”

He presses a bottle of a questionable looking liquid that may well be authentic bloodwine into MacLeod's hands, and drops to a conspiratorial whisper in Etienne's true voice. “Here...better than tylenol...all the Quickenings floating around in here will make for one hell of a migraine before too long.”  

[Kratos Krisna]

Is this disruptive Klingon interrupting the flashback? Is this taking place when Duncan and Edmond are remembering each other? is the memory at the grave site over?

Back in the 18th Century, Edmond gave a fair response to Duncan's impulsive challenge. Unsheathing Duncan's katana, he threw the sword as far as he could towards the woods in the distance. Then he took the scabbard, and threw that as far as he could in the opposing direction. Turning down to his clearly unworthy foe, he said one thing. "Leave as soon as you claw your way out. Cover your grave so none will know of your escape. If you are seen again in these Highlands, you will not survive. This is not a threat. After poisig us all on the brink of war, it is the announcement of a certainty." Edmond walked away, giving Mac no assistance in freeing himself. He did not see MacLeod again until Quickencon 2010, when he was trying to get some fish.  

[Immortal Methos]

MacLeod choked off a snarl as the Klingon man-handled him out of the flashback, but he recognized Etienne's whispered voice and held off decking him. He turned his dark glare back to Edmond's face before taking a step back, mindful of Joe and how exposed the Watcher was here.

Joe Dawson was staring at the Klingon, bemused. "Seriously?" he rasped.

At an entrance farther down the huge lobby, a tall slender man in a long coat made his way through the crowds. He had his coat collar turned up and a dark fedora pulled down over his face, but he needn't have bothered: he was wearing a scarecrow-like mask over his head with a black stain pattern where facial features should have been.

Rorschach from The Watchmen.  

[Gaston Marceau]

Etienne turns to Joe and grins mischievously. "Oh, come on...how many times have you known me NOT to get carried away? Besides, it's fun."

Duncan's demeanor draws a concerned glance. "You feeling all right, MacLeod?" The Highlander is looking much the same way Etienne must have before he proceeded to destroy a city block outside of Joe's.

Edmond standing nearby draws a curious look, but he says nothing else at the moment.  

[Kratos Krisna]

Kortan was tiring of the ugly Immortal, but then realized that he was only looking at a very good make-up job. Eager to partake in fugu, he shoved the graceless fool aside. Edmond followed him, stopping to talk to Dawson while Mac was distracted.
"You do know where to go for your presentation on the history of the book's popularity, right? You're the guest of honor, and are expected to be present at opening and closing ceremonies. Today is pre-registration. Tomorrow morning is when the fireworks start."

Kortan saw Edmand talking to Joe, and sensing an opportunity, invited Mac and Joe to come along to Blue C Sushi the him and Ed. "Cross the street and it's on the same block. Is Mac your guest? He'll have to buy himself a ticket otherwise. Which could take hours. You were allotted one guest, correct?"  

[Immortal Methos]

Joe nodded at Edmond. "Just getting the lay of the land," he said. "It helps knowing where you're going beforehand, if you've got to use a cane in crowds. And yes, MacLeod's my 'plus one.'"

One look at Mac's face showed what the Highlander thought of dining with what was obviously an old enemy. "We'll take a rain check on the sushi," Joe added, "but thanks anyway."

Mac had not stopped glaring at Edmond, but it was clearly obvious that he wasn't going to try anything foolish or outlandish here. He stood near Etienne, as if using the other Immortal as grounding for his sanity.

*******************************************************************

At the pre-reg pick-up, the man dressed as Rorschach had reached the front of the G-L line. "Walter Kovacs," he said, in a gravelly voice, then waited patiently as the volunteer looked for his badge.  

[Kratos Krisna]

Adrienne was a little disappointed in how little Mac had changed over the centuries, but not very surprised. What he saw next shocked him. Kortan was chatting it up gaily with Mac and Joe. The bloody Highlander had an axe to pick with him, the Watcher didn't trust him, and now they both had calmer nerves with this other murderer. The Buzz hit him again, but Mac didn't seem to notice. Who could blame him? 400 years old, but here he was a noob again. He probably hadn't noticed one more buzz out of what was probably a very rapid succession of buzz. The Buzz belonged to his Assistant Greta. She had recently become an Immortal under circumstances would need to be told under other circumstances. She was coming in with a croup of cosplayers who looked like they were from a cross between a video game and a historical setting. She was wearing something no one would wear in public until maybe 30 years ago. A form-fitting outift that would disgrace him if the wearer was associated with him. She gave a surprised look to see Duncan walking away, but stayed with her group. Edmond's weird buzz counted 5 Immortals, but the mortals in the group were scanning their surroundings as though expecting a fight.
Who are these people with my assistant? wondered Edmond. Are the mortals expected to aid the Immortals in battle?  

[Gaston Marceau]

Etienne hasn't really been exposed to an angry Highlander before, so he's at a loss as to how to deal with a smoldering Duncan. Granted, Duncan let a little anger loose during Methos' recent bout with amnesia, but since Etienne saw his share of red that day too, his memory of the events is likely a little colored...pardon the pun.

However, as Dawson discusses the particulars of his appearance with the convention planners, Etienne once more tries to crack Duncan's hard exterior. He reaches into his furred belt pouch and produces several slimy looking jelly worms. "If sushi's out, how about some gagh, MacLeod?"

Hopefully the Old Man will show up soon so he doesn't have to waste all his silliness here.  

[Kratos Krisna]

Despite the colorful nature, that guards, hilts, and scabbards about the cosplayers' swords all looked real. If they were that thorough here of all places, then their blades were undoubtedly also genuine. Greta's eyes lit up a bit when she saw Duncan, then they darkened some, as though she'd just realized something. Recognizing her boss, she waved hello. As most of the eyes were on her, Edmond self-consciously waved back.  

[Immortal Methos]

Duncan ignored Etienne's pocket-o-gummy-worms, turning instead as the swirling buzzes ebbed around him. His eyes fell on Greta, and a heart-broken expression came across his face. He looked from her across to Joe -- as if to balance himself -- and then back again, the memories flooding him...

[[OOC: A flashback after my ballgame, which has just started!]]  

[Immortal Methos]

October 1993...

It was Seacouver, it was a lovely evening, a night out at a local pool hall, and Tessa looked so beautiful and sparkled brighter than the stars when he had been a boy. He'd almost forgotten that Richie had come out with them, and had been trying to pick up a pretty young thing a few tables over.

Tess was trying, rather successfully, to talk Duncan into taking her home to ravish her, when Richie brought his current interest over to their table. "Hey, guys," he said. "I would like you to meet..."

"Hello, I'm Greta," the blond said. She went immediately into a well-practiced sell. "I'm the seventh daughter of the seventh son. I see things that other people don't even look for."

"As I was saying," Richie grinned proudly, "this is Greta. Would you care for some wine, Greta?"

"Thank you." Greta took a sip from wine glass that Duncan had forgotten whose it was -- Oh, well, it was Richie's now! "As I was saying, a few dollars spent on Greta's gifts could be the best investment of your life."

Duncan was amused, and inclined to be generous -- despite his general uncomfortableness with fortune tellers in general. He was feeling good, and he had also noticed the sensation that told him Greta was a pre-Immortal.

"The rap alone is worth the investment," Duncan smiled.

"No, Mac, trust me," Richie said, defensive. "She has real talent."

"I can see that just by looking at her," Duncan grinned.

Tessa's foot connected with the Highlander's shin under the table. "Come on, it would be fun to have my palm read."

"Only if she tells you what you want to hear," Mac said sagely, remembering a gypsy camp in 1848.

"I see you're a woman of taste," Greta said, undaunted.

She took Tessa's hand, but just the skin contact had the girl shaking her head as if to clear it. "Oh, that was a rush."

'Quite the actress,' Duncan found himself thinking.

"Are you okay?" Tessa asked her, concern in her blue eyes.

"Yeah." Greta took a long breath through her nose. "Where were we?"

She took Tessa's hand again, then seemed to go blank, as if in a trance. Duncan cocked his head, watching her, then Greta revived and blinked rapidly.

"What the hell was that about?" she gulped, looking around. She let go of Tessa's hand as if it had burned her.

Mac was just considering that this was the worse palm reading he had ever been to, when Tessa asked her, "What's wrong?"

"Ah, it's no big deal, Tess," Richie said cheerfully. "She's just having a psychic experience, right?"

"That's it," Greta said uncertainly. "I must have -- I mean, I did."

Now it was Richie who was uncertain. "Greta, I was kidding."

Duncan noticed the expression on Tessa's face. "Hey, don't worry."

"You have to get the hell out of this city," Greta suddenly said to Tessa, urgently.

"What are you talking about?" Tessa said, beginning to get a little cross. This was going in a very weird direction.

"Trouble," Greta muttered, "-- and you're right in the middle of it."

"I think we've heard enough," Duncan scowled. Obviously this girl was a few marbles shy of a crystal ball. "Thanks."

The Scot stood, as if to underscore the fact that the encounter was at an end.

"Hey, come on, guys," Richie said quickly, trying to salvage the situation. "We're all having fun here." He turned to Greta. "I mean, this is just a joke, right?"

Greta was becoming increasingly upset. "Look, I saw what I saw. I think this is for real."

"I'm sure it is." Mac turned to Tessa. "Let's go."

Greta tried one last time. "I know this sounds crazy as hell, but I saw swords."

"It's okay," Tessa said tensely, grabbing her purse and taking Duncan's arm. "Thanks for the reading."

"Come on," Duncan said, as he led Tessa toward the front of the pool hall. "Don't let it bother you."

"She seemed so upset," Tessa murmured, looking back over her shoulder to where Greta was talking animatedly with Richie. "What about the swords? How could she know about that?"

"Well, maybe it was a coincidence," Duncan shrugged. "Or maybe she really did have a psychic experience, and caught a glimpse of our life together."

"She scared me," Tessa admitted.

"Hey, Tess, nothing's written in stone. Whatever she saw or didn't see, we decide our future. It's whatever we want it to be."

"Hold me," Tessa said suddenly, a shiver running down her spine. "I love you, Duncan."

Duncan wrapped her in his strong arms. "I love you, too, sweetheart," he murmured, kissing her.