Finish Off 24.2
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| Finish Off 24.2 | |
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Finish Off 24.2 is the third chapter of Finish Off. Avery brings people together to support Kennet's cause. Raymond Sunshine gives parents a reality check, and Verona follows Rook's plan. With everything decided, Avery opens a door to confront Charles.
Plot
Snowdrop and Avery feel the disappearance of Percival Awarnach the 2nd, signifying the beginning of Charles's meeting with the Ottawa council. After checking with Nicolette, Avery takes stock of the room and those present. The three Kennet practitioners take their seats and start off the meeting.
By invoking the rules of hospitality, Lucy secures the right to open the discussion. Several practitioners announce themselves and the girls recap their history with Charles and past Blue Heron headmasters. Lucy addresses her involvement in Alexander's death, and Grayson argues about her description of forswearing.
Grayson begins to criticize the value of Kennet's influence on the region, pointing to Charles's continued prominence after Musser was defeated before dealing with him. Basil Winters, along with his mother Opal and two members of the Musser family arrive.
Avery, Lucy, and Verona announce their plan to remove power from Charles by assuming collective responsibility for all aspects of his duties. They describe their plan as a redefining of the Seal of Solomon, giving more importance to the local Aware and smaller powers in each region. Avery makes her pitch to the attending practitioners and each of them gives their intent to contribute to the plan. Grayson, Eliana Graubard, and the Musser refuse to pledge their support. Raquel excuses herself from the meeting to speak to her cousins, and the meeting continues.
After reaching a "tentative yes" the practitioners on board move on to discuss the threats posed by Charles's faction. Starting with the St. Victor's practitioners, the girls discuss their approach with the Aware parents and the Winters. Opal and Basil suggest their ability to offer a solution on the condition that Kennet allows the Turtle Queen to be rebound. Lucy attempts to negotiate with the Winters to release the Others that remain bound when Raymond and Durocher arrive.
Raymond expresses his desire to remain uninvolved, but is convinced to provide some amount of help after speaking to the girls and the parents of the St. Victor's practitioners. He provides Zed with an out for any defecting child practitioners, and gives insight into Charles's plan for the Allaires. After negotiating with Opal and Basil, Raymond promises to take on Basil's nephew as an apprentice in exchange for their release of the captured Kennet Others to combat the Dropped Call and the White Rot.
After Raymond and Durocher leave, the girls connect with their families and discuss plans for the next stage of the conflict. Sylvia tells Verona she will make temporary accommodations in Kennet and will wait for Verona to seek her out. Raquel shares that her cousins notified her of her mother's death and that she plans to stay out of the upcoming fight.
After some time, the group of practitioners and Others gathers to begin their campaign against Charles's forces. Hollow Yen speaks cryptically about Rook's plans and Avery opens a door to Hold Down the Fort. The group proceeds through the door as Alexanderp indicates their enemy's response.
Major Events
- Lucy, Avery, and Verona meet with practitioners and Kennet Aware to discuss the Carmine Exile and the seal.
- The majority of practitioners involved in the meeting agree to the terms of the proposed post-Charles order.
- A group of practitioners, Others and Aware set out into the Paths to confront Charles.