#event: exitium.event002

[badvlantex]

For a party organized by the OEA, even the OEA looked uncomfortable. TJ found it a little amusing, considering he'd always felt that way among them. Still, maybe it was an opportunity to find out more—not that they'd ever tell him anything.

Finding the 'big boss man', or that's what he had been warned about in regards to Alexander, he'd try his luck. 'So what's the actual plan?'"

@missionfocusedaj

[badvlantex]

Had it ever been about the OEA, though? Maybe TJ put on a good show, and maybe some part of him needed it to be true, needed to act that way for reasons that were beyond anyone's understanding, but they were an excuse. All of it was an excuse for the selfishness, for his own purposeful undoing. Was it a good enough excuse for reason?

Ever since the fight with Briggs, TJ had been replaying it in his head, wondering if he'd ever get the chance to make amends for his actions that day. But this was not Briggs, no, he was just using Nathan in his place. Was he just as wrong for that? Using Nathan as the bait, risking Nathan's life for his own gain, a sacrifice.

TJ knew he had been a monster that day with Briggs. But even then, it was not enough for him to give in to the dark desire to understand what it felt like to take a life. That was his greatest fear in this fight. In a way, TJ was starting to grasp his father's words about sacrifice. But understanding was not the same as acceptance. Why would TJ fight a battle he did not believe in? The real battle was within himself, as it had always been. These outward fights were just ripples of a burning desire but the hesitation always keeping him back from falling. By choosing to withdraw from the fight now would that even serve as a base for the answers to the questions?

As Nathan's hands gripped his throat, TJ knew he should fight back. But he did not - not even against the crushing pain or the struggle to breathe. No one would intervene, not on the OEA's side. There was something poetic about this moment that stayed his hand.

Even as blood flowed and Nathan yelled at him, TJ resisted the natural urge to fight back. He focused instead on the promise he had made to not let the violence get to this point, not with his hands - but if another's - was it really keeping the promising by allowing someone else to do it? What he wanted was to understand himself, whatever the cost may be even if that was his own end, or maybe it was another's.

Whatever it was, the fight for TJ remained on the inner. As the outside started to fade and the room darkened, so did the life. TJ welcomed it, his eyes starting to shut, he was hoping at least to find peace of that day and not have to face the troubles of this day. But would he even be allowed that?

@thornecrown

He wasn’t being stopped. Why wasn’t he being stopped? There should have been gunfire by now, an OEA attack upon him, something, anything. Nathan should be dead, or at the very least tased and dragged out of the party. Instead, he just kept going.

His question hadn't needed an answer, not really. He knew. Of course he already knew, maybe just as much as Tj. He was who they would make an example out of. He was the monster that each and every person in this room were made out to be. Nate and his unpredictability, his volatility had played right into the OEA’s hands and more importantly, right into Tj’s. 

His fist connected with Tj’s face with another hit, the ferocity causing for the blood to splatter back and cover his face and shirt. Eventually, he became aware of somebody grasping at his jacket to trying to pull him back, but it hadn’t taken much for Nathan to shake them free in his rage. Upon doing so, he stumbled forwards, but just enough so that he could drive a foot into Tj’s stomach. 

It couldn't be certain what was worse, his inability to stop himself, or the the fact that this was exactly what Tj wanted and he still, couldn't stop. Wouldn't, stop. With Tj on the floor and showing no signs of getting up, Nathan dropped to his knees beside him, his hands wrapping around the hunters throat. “Fight back” he spat, his trembling hands tightening their grasp.

There was an unusual stillness to the room, the music continuing to play on added to the overall eeriness. Half of the guests were simply allowing it. What was one less hunter in the city, right? But others were beginning to stir, begging Nathan to stop, but the pleads weren't registering. 

No OEA came to Tj’s rescue, though. That surely spoke volumes in itself. There was a moment of realisation however, through the midst of his rage. His eyes glanced down towards Tj, barely able to make out his features beneath the blood. He wanted to watch the life drain from his eyes. Maybe Nathan was the monster.

[exitiumhq]

✧ ― an evening to die for: event002 ― ✧

A generous invitation has been extended to all citizens of New Orleans, human and supernatural alike. Residents will find themselves waking up to the news that they have been invited to attend the ANNUAL WINTER GALA hosted by none other than the OEA.

Their message reads as follows:

'You are hereby invited to join us for an unforgettable evening of fine entertainment, where differences are to be put aside as we look to a way to work together for a greater future.'

Location: OEA HEADQUARTERS Date: 02/03 Time: 19:00 HOURS

A temporary truce has been called upon and for one evening the curfew has been lifted as the city is encouraged to join in with the celebrations. The invitation states two requirements, the first being that the dress code is strictly black tie and second, attendance is non negotiable. Cars will be deployed to our guestlist shortly before the celebrations intend to begin, so don't be late. The decorations are immaculate, the guest list is at its capacity and the bar is open. What could possibly go wrong?

OOC INFORMATION:

*taps microphone* testing, testing ... its time to partaaaaaaaaaay! between (02/03 - 02/15) phase one of our event is going to be in full swing and any threads currently happening outside of the event are encouraged to be placed on hold ( where possible )

as always, we can't wait to see what plots our characters get up to and any event threads can be tagged under exitium.event002 with starters being tagged as normal ( @exitiumstarters ) to ensure that everybody is kept in the loop!

if you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out to us but most importantly, have a blast everyone!

-admins alexis & andi

[badvlantex]

Bumping into Laine was inevitable at this gala; still, the least he could do was update her on the 'progress' he had made so far. "I did as you asked—I asked the questions. Nobody knows shit," he shrugged before adding, "I have my suspicions, though; that guy without ears with the flower shop is suspicious as hell." Okay, he was not that suspicious, but TJ didn't like him. "I put him in jail for a bit; let me tell you, my boss was not happy about that either." Maybe because TJ hadn't followed exactly correct protocols. "Then there's that other guy who wanted to plan a secret party—not very secret if he's blabbing his mouth about it." There might be something else, 'someone' else that TJ might want to mention, but he held it back for now, giving enough for Laine to work with.

@lawfvlhunter

[badvlantex]

"No, it's you idiots who think that. If I am a problem, why not remove me? It's simple but you won't." Sure, TJ removing himself would be better, yet, he waited on others - like his boss, he continued to wait and nothing. If he was that much of a pain, why the hell was he still allowed to do it? "Watch my back, someone's gonna get me. Anything else or are you done?"

artemis raised her eyebrows at him. "are you an idiot?" she asked genuinely. "if that many people are threatening you, maybe the problem is you. ever think of that?" she asked. "he's my best friend. so yeah, he's important." her eye twitched at that one before fixing her mask. "i hear that you better watch your back."

[badvlantex]

"Girlfriend," he corrected, feeling the need to clarify before he slipped the handcuffs back into his pocket. Perhaps by not using the handcuffs, it would serve as a sort of bridge of trust, even if Juri was still armed. If Juri then decided to turn around and stab him, they'd be even, but for now, TJ hoped the guy knew better than that.

Pointing at himself and then at Juri, followed by a thumbs-up, TJ attempted to convey a message of "let me help you," although he doubted it made much sense in the way he intended. Still, he tried, as he had been doing all night—trying to make things right.

Then he tried speaking, as much as he could, but it would come out in a whisper. "Seeing as arresting you got me into a ton of shit, and my ass kicked by said nurse who later found out my supposed days off were not exactly days off at all..." Why the hell was he telling the guy this...was it just panic? Or some weird way to make amends? No, the night gave him a hell of a guilty conscience, and this was him showing it. It wouldn't matter much, though, unless Juri's lip-reading skills were immaculate. Maybe half of that would be lost in translation, just like the whole 'let me help you' thing.

Juri scoffed when he heard the voice. Is this the guy that thought can stop him. There was a sneer before putting the knife away. Not out of obedience but to show the mallcop he wasnt afriad.

There was a brief look of confusion and hurt on his face. No one could help him, the two people who could were dead or doesn't want Juri in thier lives. There was an eyeroll at the handcuffs

"Please save that for your nurse crush will you.'' Juri said, the only snark in him right now. He raised his hands up regardless in surrender. At least a jail cell was more peaceful.

"But no one can help me." Juri said. "I'm alone as ever."

[badvlantex]

"Impression for what?" he stated, his confusion evident. He had no idea what was actually going on, but he could pretend up to a certain point. "I'll just present myself the way I always have." Such things never leave good impressions, at least not from him.

"Over there," he pointed out Nova. "Like I told Laine, she's a ninja and can deal with threats coming her way. She'll kick your asses too." TJ really did adore her and was not afraid to show her off.

"of course, we have to make an impression tonight and it all counts, starting with how we present ourselves." she motioned to her own dress. at the mention of a date, she raised a brow and scanned the room quickly. "do you? where is this lucky date of yours?"

[badvlantex]

TJ was already regretting this exchange like he regretted many, but he'd have to use whatever he could in the moment. "My crime is being OEA," he stated with a cold edge; everyone believed the conspiracy that he was OEA anyway. "So. You want to tell me the actual truth or shall I just remove you?"

"Just as interested as I am about your story," he said with a raised brow, "don't think you can just flip the script back onto me without me noticing" he teased with a small smirk, trying his hardest to be light hearted during a really bad conversation

[badvlantex]

Maybe his friendliness didn't match her understanding, or it was just him, as always, not reading the room. "Okay, I'll make it more simple for you to understand. Forget the OEA because before all of that, there existed laws that governed us - are you with me? Or do you need a moment?"

He continued on. "Laws, which still exist by the way. Not sure why and when everyone forgot, but typically you break laws by committing theft. Threatening cops is not good either, but I'll let you off - my other friendly advice is maybe drink some water."

“friendly advice?”luna repeated, an eyebrow raised. “you’re friendly advice is saying I could be the prime suspect to those deaths. now, I may not be the smartest but I know that’s not friendly advice.” a pause for a moment as her eyes narrowed. “and I would say it louder, you oea do not deserve death. it would be too nice for you. those oea guards that died got away lightly because if I had my way, you’d suffer a fate worse than death.”

maybe not the smartest thing to say, but the alcohol had helped her speak her mind for once. “so yea, it may not take the suspicion off of me, but ask anyone and they will tell you, i’ve never wanted your lot dead. I’ve been as passive as anyone can be.”

[badvlantex]

"Turning something invisible? There has to be better magic tricks than that," TJ remained sceptical. He wasn't convinced of the fairy's claims just yet. "How about you summon a bottle of actual mead? If you're really a fairy, maybe you could manage that."

"So, who was the first Lady of the Lake to hear those words then?" TJ inquired. If it was a generational tradition, he could only assume that Lysander was following in the footsteps of his fairy predecessors.

"Maybe we save the swords and knighting ceremony for the comic book tavern adventure?" TJ suggested. The whole idea sounded ridiculous, but then again, the world had become increasingly surreal since the arrival of the supernatural and the OEA. "I'm not sure how the rules work in your world, but typically people on Earth don't go around waving swords," he offered as some sound advice. "Or maybe you're from a different time and not used to the world how it is now."

"What's the deal with you and this Mikaelson?" TJ questioned, expressing both concern and interest. From what he knew, the Mikaelsons were more like a gang than a family. "Did they threaten you too?"

"Just call me TJ."

Lysander had a wide grin. "It is still here." Lysander said with a loud whispers. Lysander snapped his fingers and it reappeared, unharmed. "Ta-da!"

"You should. Hark my words are not orginal, they are like a book, passed down from generation to generation." Lysander felt happy that someone thought his dailogue is cool.

Lysander looked in surprise before putting the sword in the sheath by his side, doing a taunt with the sword."Was that too much?" Lysander asked tilting his head.

"I am a trained swordmasman. Made this one myself." Lysander reassured. "I don't unless Master Mikaelson tells me I promise." Lysander looked at the other. "So you have two occupations." Lysander sighed. "What shall I call you then."

[badvlantex]

TJ started the night out with an act, no, it was always that. A performance that would cover him in a moment's notice but not one that shielded him forever. TJ couldn't keep to the script - he couldn't even do that as a cop.

Not one person was bringing TJ down, not his boss, not the OEA, not any of this... it was himself. The refusal to commit to either the bad guy or good guy. If he just quit then maybe he'd be something, maybe he'd be the good guy he wanted to be... but no, he had to find an excuse, some daft reasoning to not walk away from it because he also craved to be the tough guy.

The fear didn't stop and what Briggs was doing, digging under his skin, reading him like a book making the corner he put himself in grow even smaller. TJ didn't want to hear it because he knew it was true.

The thumping of his heart caught in his throat, each beat pulling the air out of that corner. With all the suffering around them, TJ had chosen to look away, punishing himself and allowing pain to be inflicted on him. But it wasn't helping anyone, not himself. It was just as Briggs had said, a twisted way to heal. Yet, even that? There was no healing, just a cycle repeating that he couldn't snap out of.

In response, TJ detached himself because admitting that he was responsible, that he had a part in this plan, even unwillingly, would drive him into shock. But he wouldn't let that happen, not when the threat of Briggs harming Nova was still present, even if it were a lie from the guy himself. But what was he protecting Nova from other than himself? He was always the risk, never the reward.

TJ didn't say a word in return, all he did was use whatever strength he had to grapple with to shove Briggs out of the way, just so he could get out of this room and do what was asked, yet, whenever he walked out the door there was no guarantee it would stick, he just had to hope that Briggs was not watching.

Sometimes talking to TJ gave Briggs a strong case of whiplash, but then again, he was beginning to really understand it. All a form of performance in one way or another, and one thing his hearing had already told him: he was scared. Now TJ would know what it was like to be backed into a corner with no perceived way out.

The only thing I did was bring out the monster you always were...

Briggs had to give him that, that was a good blow because the longer the night went on, the more he believed it himself. He was always this. "Listen, darlin', I'm going to be straight with you. Not like people are dying, so we've got a couple minutes?" He mocked before adding a touch more reflection, "I read somewhere once we become who we think would have saved us when we needed it most. But with you, I can't quite figure out what I think that is. I have a theory though, so maybe you tell me if I'm right: I think you want to be the person who tries to talk the humanity back into people, the one Nova sees. The Prince Charming, the Hero, but someone--money's on your dad--told you that's not good enough. You need to be the tough guy, the one hiding behind the great big OEA, the one who's doing things. The one who feels he needs to do all this posturing. The tough guy would have saved you, but you're not him. And you hate that, so you keep trying."

Shrugging his shoulders, he exhaled a breath, "but here's the thing: that shit is going to lose you Nova before I ever do a thing. I mean, look at you, you're half-dead. Nothing you've done tonight has been for her, it's for your own ego. It's to heal yourself in some twisted way. She's not a savior, she's a human being. You can't do it to be worthy of her or," he tapped the side of his head as he continued, "whatever thought process is going on up there. So decide who you want to be: the man who truly believes there is no justification in killing or the big bad OEA yes man, and maybe you have a chance. This back and forth will leave you all alone, I guarantee it."

Patting his cheek, Briggs reassured, "but yeah, I already said that. You successfully get my friends out, we're done. Won't ask you another thing. Swear on my life." Maybe one day he'd tell him he never had a single intent to actually hurt Nova, but right now, it was working rather well. "You can try, but I kicked your ass powered down. You can't take me now."

[badvlantex]

"You ruined it." Whatever mutual understanding he had liked to have found was probably never even there to begin with—still, there was perhaps one thing they had in common. "But I guess that's all we do, right? Ruin things?" If everyone destroyed themselves in the process, there would be nothing left to fight for.

"Open rebellion against the OEA is something," he mused, shrugging as he pulled away from the cage, just in case she decided to now strangle him after he'd given her a reasonable chance to. "They might be swinging their daggers at you right now, but it's also my ass they're going to drag after all of this—you know that?" Burning alive might save him from that. "I openly expressed my disinterest, but it's non-negotiable." That served as TJ's reasoning, even if it was weak.

"Also, think about it, am I really a threat to you?" He was just making sure the threats remained away from her cage, keeping out of the firefight. "I'm not harming you; you're all doing that to yourselves in retaliation." No progress was made this night; it was all down the drain for each and all. Maybe they were all shitty people.

Putting his hands up in surrender, he remarked, "We're never on the same page, are we? You people think you know me, but you don't. You're not friends, you're not family. You're just people to me." The arrogance he had was surely something, but maybe that was just about the closest thing to truth anyone would get from him.

"Guess I'll go find Tinkerbell now," he said, rising to his feet. With that, he stepped away to search for a certain fairy.

Glaring at TJ through the bars Billie grumbled “you had to go and ruin it by calling him Tinkerbell, didn’t you.”

Her jaw soon tightened, practically forcing herself to swallow the words but she couldn’t; figuring that she might not get another chance to say them. “So why are you?” Shaking her head now, the banshee hissed beneath a breath “mine isn’t either.” There wasn’t much that she could ever do to escape the torment that the OEA had inflicted on her. Her cage wasn’t just physical. No matter what, the OEA would always have her. Inside her own head she would always be their victim and it made her skin crawl to know that might never change.

Each muscle contorted with his words, the idea making her grimace as she countered weakly “you would say that, because you have no idea what this is like.” A bloodied hand rose to reach for one of the bars as she leaned herself forwards “to be hunted, humiliated and punished for something out of your control. You might not kill, but I won’t thank you for that. Just because you’re a hunter with a conscience, doesn’t mean that we’re the same. Being silent, being complicit is just as bad as killing us.” Inhaling an unsteady breath, Billie murmured “either way, you’re returning to her with blood on your hands.”

If she had the strength for it, she would have rolled her eyes. “You provoked him in a room full of people who want him dead. You don’t get to play the martyr. Not here.” Her brow furrowed, unwilling to accept the others pity party and the frustration of it all caused her vision to blur as tears stung her eyes “you could matter if you did the right thing, but if you're just going to sit here and bitch to me about how hard your life is, while you sit back and let the rest of us die, maybe you should burn."

She could feel her chin begging to quiver “I don’t owe you an explanation” and her voice began to falter, each breath beginning to slow again as her hand slipped from the bars. She didn’t owe him, but if anything she owed it to herself to make him see what the OEA were capable of.

"I was looking for my birth mom and the OEA were looking for me.'' Scoffing, she murmured breathlessly “they used that to capture me and I spent my last few months alive right here. These people, the people that you won’t stand against ... they tortured me for months. I was forced to watch people die over and over again, so they could use that to their advantage, because I can see it coming.” Billie directed her gaze straight towards TJ. "I was tortured, until I couldn’t take it anymore" emotionless laughter carried between them "apparently, neither could your friends, because someone let me go. Too little, too fucking late, though." Any hint of vulnerability soon fled her tone. “I made it out, I got home and when I got there I died in his arms.” A breath hitched in the back of her throat, her jaw aching from the tension residing there. "I know who you are, TJ. You're lucky that the only thing Briggs is doing to you, is threatening your girl because that's more mercy than he's ever been shown by any of you."

[badvlantex]

"So you're finally owning up to being a ninja, huh?" TJ teased. "Took you long enough. Guess my persistence pays off." He'd been trying to get her to agree, the many texts back and forth, but he had no success until now.

"Yeah, dads have that protective instinct, even if they don't always show it," he spoke, thinking of his own father who guarded him, but with distance. "I'm sure mine would be the same if he had a daughter, but he just had to make do with me."

At Nova's insistence on calling him her hero, TJ couldn't help but shake his head. "You're persistent too." With a theatrical bow, TJ extended his hand towards Nova, and then spun her around gracefully, before pulling her close, his hand securely on her waist, guiding her with ease across the dance floor. "Let's just stick with Prince for now."

With a wink, he'd lead them. "I don't own a kingdom yet - I'm working on it." Grinning, "Or I could be a knight, a fairy said I'd make an excellent one, but I'm pretty sure that guy's just drunk since he believes honey with water is mead."

Nova felt her cheeks turning bright red. She was loving the compliments. She let the warms she know let her feel beautiful. She smiled at the cheek kiss feeling on her. Was TJ always this warm. There was a snort before she kissed his cheek. "Heck yeah I am." Nova said with an easy going grin. She doubted anyone was watching her that intensly anyway. With the amount of guards around her. Besides she was retired from the ninja stuff. Thats what she told herself anyway.

"They are so lame. Mistress Abe this and Mistress Abe that." Nova said. She made a face when one of them look, seeing them unfazed. "Dad knows to pick them." Nova relented. Nova raised an eyebrow. "I've been trying to all night." Nova sighed leaning against his arm. "You are my favorite guard though. My hero." Nova said with a soft smile.

Nova felt the excitement as she finally stepped on the floor her shoes clacking at the floor, feeling like cloud nine. Nova smiled looking around seeing the people. For a moment she felt normal again with TJ by her side.

The only person she would let herself be free with no expectations, Taejin. Nova chuckled holding out her arms. "I'm sorry in advance if I step on your feet." Nova said with a giggle.

[badvlantex]

Seeing her face felt like a blessing, and he wanted to savor the kiss, to immerse himself in the moment of freedom, but he knew they couldn't. She had been his anchor, the reason he tried to resist violence all night, but the bruises and cuts on his face painted a different picture. Did he fail her? Was running and hiding really the hero she thought she saw? He was always battered and wounded when she found him, that's why he knew she'd turn up, but was he wrong for that? Wrong for always expecting her to be the savior when it should be him?

His voice, still hoarse from Nathan's attack, murmured, "I think we need another 50 pages," referring to the medical records. If he could just pretend he was fine with his stupid ways of playing it off lightly, maybe she would be fine too, right? But in this moment, he couldn't muster the strength to stand up and leave. Everything… an explanation could wait until later, if there was even a later.

"Trust?" he whispered, locking eyes with her, silently pleading for her to trust that he would be okay, but he didn't know that for certain himself.

"You have to get away," he said, pulling his hand away from her, but he seemed conflicted. Once he motioned towards the door, his gaze shifted to another figure, igniting a surge of protectiveness over Nova. "Do you… know him?" he asked, his words strained. Perhaps it was one of her father's bodyguards.

@ofwindydays

Closed for @badvlantex @l-hiroabe

Nova kept running through the hallways. Where was anyone? Nova went though the mental list of people she needed to find: Lucia, Tomas, Ryker, Chris, Nadia....but two rang in her head. TJ and Hiro. One was her boyfriend and the other was was her brother. Both of them has value to her.

Nova heard a familiar groan. SSibal. There was only one man who could say that. Nova kicked the door open. She spotted him as well as a pair of granny panties. Nova stared in confusion at them before focusing on her boyfriend. Little did she know she was followed.

There were tears pricking her eyes before pulling TJ into a kiss. "Please don't scare me like that again." Nova whispered. Nova clenched his hand. "I don't know what I would do without you." Nova let herself almost lean in again before hearing the door open.

Nova's eyes widened in surprise before seeing who was at the door.

"Ani?" Her anxiety rising.

Was this really going to happen to her again?

[badvlantex]

This is what Alexander had said to do, was it not? TJ was dealing with it, probably not in the way he imagined. Even Laine would sure as heck scold him again for this, but if the OEA wanted to bring out the monsters, this was how it was done.

As the other punch hit, TJ stumbled to the ground. Being punched so frequently, it should be numb, but it was not. He spat out blood, but would the scent of human blood stir the hunger in the vampires? That hadn't been in TJ's game plan. Hell, he was not trying to be OEA. He didn't hate the supernatural, he certainly didn't want to kill them, but somehow, he was doing a great job at playing OEA.

No, but the truth was there - TJ started it, but he'd allow Nathan to finish it.

TJ hadn't thrown the first punch. No, he shoved Nathan - that was all. In the other fight, Briggs had at least tried to walk away. It was TJ who threw the first punch in that fight. But now, with Nathan, TJ was going to do what he couldn't do then - find whatever restraint he had to hold back. Don't say a word.

Maybe it looked pathetic, not fighting back, but he was better off that way. As long as he didn't swing back, as long as he didn't say another word, he'd be okay. He just had to remind himself of whom he promised.

Just as he had with Delainey and with a similar ferocity, Nathan had walked straight into their manipulative trap. He knew better, of course he knew better, but his desire to rip apart anything he encountered? That was the real danger. 

From the second that he’d thrown the punch, he knew he’d signed his own death warrant. An entire room full of OEA? Full of vampires, yeah this really wasn’t going to be pretty. "You did this."

The hunter stumbling backwards and claiming victim was a real nice touch and the arrogance rapidly faltered from Nate’s expression. Realisation practically grabbing him by the throat as he saw TJ's angle. Instead of stopping himself, though - he’d already given into the rage that fuelled that fire. He couldn’t stop. Other guest had started falling back out of horror too as Nathan swung his fist to deliver another forceful hit.

“Fuck you.” Nathan found himself glancing around for his mom, Gemma, even Dex. Desperately searching for anybody who could force him to see reason. To see anything through the red mist currently blinding him. Animals attack when they're caged, feeling threatened and Nathan was proof there that was no exception.

[badvlantex]

The OEA would never clue TJ in on anything, but they also didn't want to release him from their grasp, leaving him caught, so, screw their methods, screw their stupid rules, and screw them - he was going to do it his own way.

Even if it wasn't the OEA's plan to catch a killer tonight, wasn't that the underlying agenda as the curfew was set? Was the 'truce' merely a distraction? Locking everyone in the same room, knowing that eventually, someone would break? It had to be.

But disregard whatever those plans were because TJ played his part within the OEA so far, with the questioning, and engaging in small talk for the 'truce.'

Nobody liked TJ's methods, but he was great at bringing out the ticking time bombs waiting to explode. It could at least point out the possibilities of who might have done it.

As the first punch was thrown, retaliation was inevitable. TJ had to resist the urge for now, though, reminding himself of the promise he made to someone, a promise of no more violence. Stumbling back from the force of the punch, TJ raised his hands in surrender. "Easy," he urged, backing away gradually. "You don't have to do this."

But even if TJ was now trying to play negotiator, he had orchestrated it, baiting Nathan into throwing the punch, making him the aggressor, and ultimately breaking the truce.

Nathan smirked as TJ singled Delainey out of the crowd, before laughter eased from his lips with a little too much malice injected into it, “friends? Come on" he gestured towards the hunress "women like that? they don’t have friends” looking TJ up and down, he took the opportunity to prod him in the chest again “and guys like you, don’t get to make friends with women like that.” The wolverine comment was met with an eyeroll and Nathan figured if Briggs was to be anybody, he had to be a less sinister Pyro - but that thought wasn’t really relevant here.

“Does she?” Nathan smirked, his head lifting as he shot Delainey a glance before returning his eyes like daggers to TJ “who knew she was so obsessed with me.” As the countered shove came, Nathan stood his ground, standing taller - if that was even possible - as his features hardened. The rage eager to stir.

His laughter returned, the sound slightly menacing as it came above the music and Nathan’s frame trembled with the unpredictable urge to attack. Before he could even catch himself, a punch had been thrown. The red mist disorientating him, blinding him with rage as he truly did not intend on holding himself back.

After the initial punch, Nate braced himself for the retaliation. "So why don't we test a theory?" he spat, his fists guarding his own frame as he sized TJ up to take another swing.