#2 | surprise!

[kiljoy]

[It's funny. He hasn't seen Jessica since she spat at him, but it feels like she won't leave him alone. Twice now she's forcibly taken his allies away from him. First Faith. Then Kara. She needs to learn not to steal his things and he's figured out a way to teach her. Besides, he doesn't like the idea of not having a bodyguard, doesn't like not having anybody under his control. He needs that safety net to keep her at bay.

That's why he tells Frank to arrange this meeting. He must do so in secret and he must do so without raising suspicion, so that when they come into the reset room, they don't expect to find Kilgrave waiting for them with a smile.]

That's it, come in. You're delighted to see me. You're looking forward to doing everything I say.

[He's chosen a time when the room is empty and they won't stay long. Just long enough for him to re-establish control.]

notes
(Content warnings for mind control, violence, death and likely disturbing content. This is the conclusion of the Kilgrave plot and includes Kilgrave getting reset which will ICly take place 23rd Feb.)

Comments

[rockypath]

[Faith knows Kara killed Frank, so when she hears from him asking to meet all her caution is thrown to the wind. Yes, so she cares about the stupid idiot and his stupid face. It's hard not too considering he'd saved her. That tended to happen. It sounds important and so she comes. Without question. Perhaps it should have occurred to her that this is a trap. But alas. Hindsight.]

[A chill runs up her spine when she see who's waiting for her. No-

But then she's smiling and walking closer because she can't help but not. Dammit. Dammit. Dammit!]

[iisupergirlii]

[ Kara's content to stay in the shack. Jessica had gone out for more supplies, and Kara has sat at the head of the cot, knees curled up to her chest, and stared at the forest outside the window most of the morning. she hasn't heard from Kilgrave again, not since he'd found out Jessica was talking to him through her, and Frank and Faith had been quiet since the night before. Not that she can face either of them, not with what she's done.

she wants a bath, wants to scrub herself raw, but that would be too loud, so instead she stares, unmoving, a prayer of strength and meditation repeating in the back of her mind in Kryptonian to keep herself even somewhat calm.

eventually, she gets a message from Frank - just a one-word help and then a location, in the reset room. Did he - did he die again? what the hell happened?

it's the first thing to spur her into movement in the past two days, but she's up and out the door before even thinking about it, no supersuit but she doesn't care, flying over Reims until she lands just outside the reset room.

And there's the surprise. For two seconds, seeing his face, she wants to vomit - but then he's speaking, and a smile that matches Faith's spreads across her face. She hopes Kilgrave is okay, after she hasn't been able to protect him the last few days.

That smile only lasts until Frank walks into Kara's line of sight, and Kara staggers back then, against the wall, her eyes welling up with tears. oh no. oh no, it's so much harder to see him than she ever thought it would be. ]

[oorah]

[ frank is stood just behind and to the side of kilgrave, ready and willing to strike anyone who might mean him harm. seeing kara again is going to be hard, and he wishes there was some way to prove to her that none of this is her fault. on some fucked up level, he hopes kilgrave will tell her so maybe she'll believe it for however long he has a hold over her. probably forever, now. he doesn't remember what it was like to not want to do kilgrave's bidding; and to not hang on the man's every word.

kilgrave had told him to get faith and kara back by any means necessary. to say whatever he needed to to get them here. as much as he hates that they care about him, he knows instantly what he has to do. he sends them each a text telling them that he's in danger -- that he needs their help. he knows kara will come and wonders how long it will take jess to find out she's missing. faith he's not positive about but he's somewhat confident that tac will work on her as well. he's satisfied when he sees them both walk through the door, walking towards his master with broad smiles. they all just want to help kilgrave. as long as he's with him, that doesn't feel weird. that feels right.

but then his eyes catch kara's as he takes a few steps forward, into her line of sight. don't cry, kara, don't-- his heart beats quicker, eyes wide and sad and suddenly he just feels helpless. ] Hey, hey. Kara, I'm okay. I'm fine. [ he touches a hand to his chest, still clad in the lavender jumpsuit. then he tips his head in greeting for faith, nodding once he catches her eyes as well. they're all exactly where they need to be now. he did what he was supposed to do. ]

[kiljoy]

[Kilgrave looks between Frank and Kara, confused momentarily about why she looks so upset when he'd told her to be delighted to see him. Then he realises that it's Frank causing this reaction in her. Because he got her killed or something? Doesn't matter. Kilgrave waves a hand.]

Yeah, he's fine. Cheer up, Kara, we're all still alive despite Jessica's best efforts. Everything bad that's happened to us, blame Jessica. She's responsible for all of this and she's the reason we're meeting right now. You remember the rules I set you before, don't you?

[He's looking particularly at Kara and Faith as he says that, expecting an acknowledgement.]

Follow them. And don't get yourselves caught this time. Do you think you can do that, hmm?

[rockypath]

[Frank and Kara are both here too. She knows that she should be sad about this. Irritated with herself for falling for such an obvious ruse. She finds herself nodding back at Frank, but there's no reaction otherwise really. Faith sees Kara's pushing up against the wall, but only reacts for a moment before her eyes are back on Kilgrave and she feels so relieved to see him again. It's not a sensation she relishes, that little voice in not being able to control even her own feelings or emotions.]

[And now she's angry. So very angry. But not at Kilgrave. Jessica. How dare she try to keep them apart! Faith nods.] Yes, I remember. [Surely Kara would too.] We'll figure out what they're doing. Jessica doesn't stand a chance. We'll find out what she's doing.

[iisupergirlii]

[ Frank talks, and gosh, the sound of his voice makes a sob escape Kara's throat, a broken sound. she's not sure if it's a sob of relief or dread. he's alive, thank Rao, he came back. but everything swells up to bursting within her -

until it doesn't. Cheer up, Kara. her sobbing is cut off mid-sound. she visibly relaxes, her shoulders dropping, and she stands back up, tears still wet on her face but her eyes bright. Frank's fine. He's okay. She has other things to worry about - like taking down Jessica. Geez, look at what all Jessica has caused. ]

I can do that. [ she smiles at Kilgrave, comfortable with him in a way the others aren't. ] We'll find out what you need.

[kiljoy]

Good. [This is better. He's in control.] I want a 24-7 guard. All of you take turns to watch over me, but be subtle about it. Don't want any of you getting caught.

[A pause; he considers Faith and Kara for a moment.]

What have you two been up to since we last met? Did Jessica tell you anything about her plans?

[iisupergirlii]

[ Kara shrugs, fiddling with her sleeves. when she speaks, it's calm, almost clinical. ]

I was dead, and then I came back, and most of what Jessica told me was things I was supposed to already know. [ she huffs out a laugh at herself, self-conscious. ] And then I cried a lot, and... if she did tell me anything, I didn't really... I mean, I couldn't really process it.

[ she feels useless, her desire and eagerness to help Kilgrave and protect him making her feel like she really let him down. It sucks. ] I'll do better this time.

[rockypath]

[She waits for Kara to finish, throat tightening a bit at Kara's words. The pain she'd felt over what had happened striking a chord with Faith even with her monotone calculating tone.] I've not been doing much. Going to Frank's fight club, keeping to myself... I was avoiding you, obviously.

Jessica didn't tell me anything really. But she did message me. To say she knew why you chose me. And that I could blame her if I wanted. And that we shouldn't talk to each other while this was going on. Said she was going to stop you and that I should stay out of the way.

[kiljoy]

[It's the confirmation from Faith that has him interested. So Jessica is up to something. He nods.]

Whatever she thinks she can do to stop me, you need to find out and stop it first. Don't give yourselves away. [That's important. He stares around at each of them to emphasise that fact. Then he waves a hand.] All right, you can leave.

[He'll get them to report back later. For now it's best to keep this meeting short.]

closed to Jessica & Faith

[kiljoy]

[It's been a few days since Kilgrave recruited Faith and Kara again to protect him alongside Frank. He's got them working in shifts to guard him, rotating as and when necessary and keeping their distance to try and avoid rousing suspicion. But he still hasn't had much luck keeping track of Jessica. The woman is even more paranoid than he is.

Evening is drawing on and he's had Faith do what is essentially a grocery run for him, making sure that he's got food stocked in the house. It's shit food, especially without being able to do any proper cooking, but at least he won't starve. He eats with Faith in the dining room, makes her clean up, then has her stand guard outside the house – not directly outside, that would be too obvious, but she's hiding across the street so she can see anyone who tries to enter.

Kilgrave meanwhile parks himself in the living room where he stretches out on the couch and revises the sign language that he's started to learn from the natives. He's got video captured from their last lesson. So far he knows stop, shut up, help me, leave and follow me. Obviously he's focusing on the phrases he thinks will be most useful.

God. Whoever would have guessed that he would spend his evenings studying? This place truly is hell.]

[underachievement]

[ They can't keep Frank long -- he's containable enough for a brick shithouse poured into a jumpsuit, but if he misses a shift on Kilgrave's rotation of ride-or-dies or fails to check in at an appointed time, she lacks the energy to contemplate what Kevin will resort to next. There was no talking Micro out of it and while locking him up in the noise-cancelling cell he's been preparing does sound like something she would do, whatever is going to happen at whatever degree of horrible, she's sick of biding her time getting to it.

After Jess and Faith, no one hates Kilgrave more than Frank, and even he can't force much useful info from the wiggle room left by his commander. The clinic has its own guard so Jess ensures they're aware of all potential threats, within and without, before shouldering the duty of guarding Micro and his husband while she exploits the dent that's been made in Kevin's muscle. The first place she checks is his house, not expecting him to be there but perhaps he thought it the last place she would look. Or, again, could be a trap.

Her senses are low-key constantly frying not unlike a livewire. Picking up on who is hiding where is beyond her abilities and her self-concern; Jess strolls up the sandpath, expecting an attack from any side, tensed to take the hit. ]

[rockypath]

[Faith is waiting in the shadows, eyes scanning the sandpaths in both directions. She's tired, not sleeping much at all since she's fallen back into Kilgrave's clutches. She needs to keep an eye on him, keep him safe, figure out what Jessica is doing... and she'd kill for a cigarette, fuck.

Then she sees her. Jessica. Just striding up to Kilgrave's house. She's clearly on high alert, but Faith doesn't attempt to be subtle. She's got her orders. And she's going to see them through. Faith sprints full out from the shadows across the road where she's been skulking, aiming to tackle Jess right to the ground. Faith doesn't seem to be paying much mind to maintaining silence either. Oops?]

[underachievement]

[ Jesus! From the rapid whisper of boots tearing up the path towards her, Jess only has time to turn around, taking the brunt of Faith's attack to her abdomen. Compared to that she barely feels her back hit the sand, which keeps her from cracking her head open. Though their respective strengths seem roughly equal, Jess shoves instinctively at her to dislodge Faith before she can pin her and get her hands around her neck. ]

[rockypath]

[Jess is strong. It's almost like fighting another Slayer. But she doesn't spend much time contemplating this. It's all bloodlust and compulsion. Instead, she's paying very little attention to her own well being. The pain is ignored. She's punching back on the ground- towards Jess's face, sides, anywhere that can be reached. It's leaving her wide open to retaliation but, eh, what could you do? Rage did funny things to people, especially rage you could in no way help.]

[kiljoy]

[Kilgrave could very well be oblivious to what's happening outside, except that they're making noise. And in a town so deathly quiet, sound stands out. Were those footsteps? The sound of a body hitting the ground? Shit. What's happening?

He gets up and heads towards the foyer with his heart thumping inside his chest, senses on high alert. His intention is to go for the nearest window to try and see what's going on.]

[underachievement]

[ She focuses on protecting herself, shielding her face with her foreams to prevent her skull from being smashed in. He doesn't want her alive; she would be much more malleable after a reset. Whether or not the same will be true of him, she has to kill him again to sever his hold on the people mixed up in this, most of whom are deadlier than her, and the one that isn't runs a day camp for weird kids.

Jess takes a hit in her side and then to her face when her defense falters, so fast the pain combines in a blinding flare that seems to sear through her whole body until she's certain she's about to lose consciousness. It makes it easier to ignore the second blow to her head, though it leaves her ears ringing and her brow warm and wet. She lifts her limp arm from her chest to shove at Faith's abdomen, as she takes a handful of sand from the pathway sunken under her hip. Jess slings it at Faith's eyes, keeping her own shut and pushing her off with both hands. ]

[rockypath]

[Faith doesn't notice Jessica is grabbing the sand until it's too late, sand hitting their mark right in her awaiting eyes. Her head instinctively turns away, eyes shutting and in moments they are watering so hard that the tears are draining down her cheeks.

Fuck, that stings!

Momentarily blinded, she takes the full brunt of Jessica's shove. Faith might be strong but her frame is still that of an 120 pound woman, so its more than enough to send her flying. When Faith lands, she hits the ground hard, right off the sandpath, head cracking the solid ground, dazed. Hopefully the Sound Eaters were off somewhere else, distracted by some other sound or they were both screwed.]

[kiljoy]

[Kilgrave is at the window and it feels like his heart freezes for a moment when he sees Faith and Jessica grappling each other. At first Jessica seems to be taking a beating, but then she flings sand into Faith's eyes and the other girl is sent flying into the pavement, hitting her head with an audible crack. That's a dirty trick from Jessica but he'd expect nothing less from her.

Well, fuck. The Sound Eaters haven't gotten them yet and he can't stand here and rely on that to happen. If Faith is out for the count then there's only one thing for Kilgrave to do. Run.

So he does, turning around to flee as fast as he possibly can without making a sound, into the lounge and to the porch at the back of the house where he can make his escape.]