Laragh wrote:We're still here
Always happy to see a kitten return to the fold!
Thanks Laragh, for the great welcome.
here's the long awaited update!
When Erynn found herself (Post 14)
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Author name -- CopperAndGold
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Rating - NC-17 (Strong)
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Disclaimer - This is an adult fic. There will be some angst, smut, bad language, difficult subject matters (They will be noted prior to posting) The characters' development were taken from season 5 - A bit after the episode: Family. Anything that is canon and prior to this episode is fair game. Oh, there's also a small reference to a funny exchange in season 6 between Anya and Tara that I just couldn't stop from using. Even with all this, there's comedy too! Everything after Family becomes A/U.
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Feedback - Please, what are we here for? Just to suffer?
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Summary - Willow and Tara make a new friend. She's... interesting.
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Notes - I've been away a long time and this story just wouldn't leave me alone. I had to finish it, once and for all. After may hurdles over the last years, I'm back at it again and feeling top shape! If things go on this way, there might even be a sequel -- who the heck knows.
The faint buzz of the fluorescent light above her bed was thankfully drowned out by her trusty portable disc player. It had been a gift from Willow, along with CD's she'd torched or... flamed? Maybe it was burnt... Anyway, all her favorites were on a few CD's now. When Buffy had wondered out loud how much her bestie must've spent on music CD's alone to make the compilation, the redhead had been suspiciously silent.
The gift had been for all those solitary nights out on patrol. Buffy hadn't had the heart to point out that she couldn't be distracted out there.
Remember about distractions, Buffy? Will had been so excited and, she did appreciate the present. Just, never as much as she did right now.
Buffy was bored. Like, sitting through hours on end of research, bored. The music helped with the silence. The blue stress ball helped ease some frustration as well as being apparently therapeutic for her dexterity.
Her blanketed toes tapped along with the tune playing in her ears, the ball being squeezed repetitiously along to the rhythm. She'd finally gotten past the urge to bop along with her head... now,
that was a weird feeling. Buffy could only compare it to the time she was around ten years old and had crawled under her bed. She'd tried to turn her head and couldn't, the bed being too low to the ground... claustrophobia had set in, then. She hadn't been stuck, at all. But, the mere fact she couldn't turn her head had made her panic.
Thankfully, she seemed to be past it now.
'...as long as you'll be my friend at the end.' Buffy sang in a whisper and transferred the stress ball to her right hand for another two hundred repetitions.
'If I go crazy then will you still call me Superman? If I'm alive and well, will you be there holding my hand?'Her mother had finally gone home, having been assured by the nurses that she would be contacted if anything changed. Buffy had been relieved, her mother was worn out and seriously needed the rest. If all continued to look on the up-and-up, the doctor said she'd be able to go home in a couple of days. Of course, she'd still be wearing this annoying cage around her head.
'I'll keep you by my side with my superhuman might... Kript-'There was a slight displacement in the air around her, a movement some distance away from herself.
Like the butterfly effect.. She felt it to her left, in the direction of the door.
Startled by the realization, the blue stress ball was launched with superhuman speed in the direction of the perceived threat. Buffy's eyes darted to the left but she couldn't see without being able to turn her head. With a couple of hops onto her left hip, she yanked her earphones out feeling uncomfortably vulnerable. "Blast!" Was shouted, a surprised male voice along with the loud clattering of something on the floor, the soft thuds of the ball now bouncing along the tiles.
Buffy grasped the side of the bed and tried to twist around more, "Giles!" Her eyes strained to the left again, "Giles? That's you right?" She asked excitedly, still only able to see half of what was needed to see.
Giles cleared his throat, bent over to pick his glasses up, "It is." He pulled out his handkerchief to give them a good cleaning. "I see you haven't lost your reflexes." The glasses made their way back onto his nose in one elegant motion. "Although, this was surely not the welcome I was expecting," His tone had a hint of levity to it. He bent down and picked up the stress ball, "The hit to the head does bring about an odd sense of... normalcy."
Pulling his suitcase behind him, he made his way toward the bed and reached out to hold Buffy's hand. "You're early." Her eyes darted to the clock on the opposing wall, "Not that I'm not happy to see you," Buffy looked up again to where she could now clearly see her ex-watcher standing above her, she smiled, "I'm all with the happy, I'm a happy and relieved Buffy."
"A friend who happens to be a travel agent was able to get me on an earlier flight." Giles pulled a chair towards the bed and unbuttoned his jacket before sitting down, "I came straight from the airport." He said, his eyes dark with concern and fatigue. "How are you?"
Turning off her Discman and putting it away, Buffy chuckled mirthlessly, "Let's see... There seems to be a new big bad in town hiring demons, me and my friends get followed by some creepy guy. I get my neck broken by a very nasty, stinky eight-foot-tall demon who works for said new big bad. And, they have a friend of ours..." Her hand jerked at her head, pointing at the offending halo-brace, "I can't do anything!"
It was obvious the Slayer was frustrated, incapacitated as she was, "Spike apparently has information about whatever's going down... the gang was supposed to meet with him at the Magic Box last night." She all but whined irritably.
Giles smiled reassuringly, knowing how helpless his Slayer was feeling, "Willow told me it was a Gurtrall that attacked you?"
"Yeah, I was following it to try and find out who he worked for." Buffy cleared her throat as a slight blush crept up her cheeks, she tried for nonchalance, "Cellphone in my pocket rang... big ugly heard it and came after me."
The ex-watcher seemed to look past her embarrassment, "And you say Spike has information?" Giles asked, concerned. Whenever Spike was involved, trouble always followed.
"That's what Tara said..." She sighed loudly and let her hands fall to the sheets, "I don't know anything else. I'm all broken and out of the loop here." Buffy grumbled.
"Tara?" Giles asked, obviously surprised, "Has she met with Spike by herself?"
"I guess? I didn't think to question it." Buffy frowned and tried to shrug, "It's Tara, you know?"
"Yes, of course." He cleared his throat, making a mental note of the unusual occurrence and said with a perplexed and disapproving look on his face, "You had a mobile with you?"
Buffy winced dejectedly, "It seemed like a good idea at the time?" She offered innocently.
***
A headache. That's all she could hope for really, wasn't it? "You don't get it, Xand." Tara heard her girlfriend try again, "The College; They know that at least one of us lives there." Willow pulled on her seatbelt, it restraining her to the back seat with too short a leash, not able to really look at the driver. "With just that one piece of information, the rest would be cake to get."
Tara didn't understand where all this energy the gang seems to have, came from. Her nerves had been frayed for such a long time by this point -- having her eyes closed as she did, she was certain sleep would save her from this for at least a while.
Xander wasn't deterred, "Yes, duh. Again I get that part." Truth be told, everyone was tired and grumpy. "I don't understand how they wouldn't find your parents' place, through the College." His head swiveled to give a glance back, emphasizing his next point, "You said they'd get all your personal information!"
Willow huffed, "Yes, right. We shouldn't go there and like, hide out. But I can't use my laptop anymore without a lot of work." She all but flung herself into the back seat, jostling Tara who only smacked her lips in offense, and gave a short glare to the redhead before closing her eyes again.
Make it stop, just... let me sleep. "I need my old laptop. It's at my parents' place."
A detour wasn't the end of the world, really. It had all just been a bit much with this brand spanking new threat. "Ok, yours then the box." Xander said, to the point. "Then, hopefully some rest." Having glanced in the rear-view mirror, it was obvious they were all near cracking point.
***
Catherine hurried down the street, her arms shaking around a bag that didn't seem to be as cumbersome as the witch's staggered movements would imply. Vulnerable and frightened, the witch felt alone and confused with nowhere to go. She'd finally felt her connection to magic return a little after having left Doc's place. Whether or not the re-connection was caused by the fact she'd left the Mages place, she couldn't know. Which is what had her mind reeling.
It had all started to come back to her, the reasons she'd distanced herself from Doc all those years ago. Catherine had learned of his devotion to this God from some hell dimension. At first she'd shrugged it off, surprised that he'd be the type for religious worship. But, as time went on his devotion had become an obsession that saw him traveling, so sure was he his God was on earth he'd set out to prove it.
She hadn't left one absent man for the same treatment from another.
Catherine turned into the familiar alley, trying to hush her reminiscing brain. She noticed how it had changed over the years. Trash littered the dank, humid space. New graffiti graced brick walls of dilapidated buildings, flickering lights brought her eyes up to boarded up windows. She could remember when one of them used to hold a neon sign offering the services of 'Zoya the Vorozhka -- Fortune Teller'. The witch had been down here before. Even though her destination tended to move around, this was one reoccurring site where she'd often found it years ago.
Sure enough, the warm tingle coursed through her veins as she approached the center of the alley. Taking a breath, knowing to expect the odd feeling dancing along her skin when she stepped forward, Catherine broke through the cloaked barrier of Rack's lair for the first time in years.
***
The atmosphere in the office was thick with nervous anticipation as Damien watched his magic department taken hostage, broadcast live. The wall opposite the desk had been lowered, in its place was a panel of multiple screens - each depicting different departments of the company in black and white.
The Founder sat tense and motionless, his white pin-striped shirt sleeves rolled up to mid-forearm and his hair ruffled. When he'd witnessed five of his men turning weapons on themselves before blowing their brains out while trying to apprehend Doc, Damien's facade had cracked a tad. His jaws clenching and releasing alternatively, the muscles noticeably rippling under the skin of his cheeks.
Damien sneered angrily, jabbing a finger at the screens, "Get me all we have on that geriatric idiot!" His voice grated, pushed through clenched teeth.
Lynd had shed most of their human disguise, the severity of the situation seeming to have broken through most the assistant's control. "Gru thinkss-s we should open coms." The serpentine demon replied, "He's on line one." Quickly, Lynd ducked out of the office to retrieve Doc's file.
"Yes," A gruff voice spoke aloud, Damien having put the call through, "His only request has been to meet Mr. Brice."
The Founder huffed deeply, a gesture meant to mimic resignation.
The door to the office swung closed, behind a now returning Lynd who dropped a thin folder onto Damien's desk. "He wants special treatment." The Founder groused, looking at the small picture of Doc that was held against the tan card-stock by a paperclip.
The sound of a throat clearing brought their attention back towards the phone, "I'm only suggesting we open the intercoms between you and the department, sir." Damien seemed to be considering Gru's idea, "Establishing a line of communication to learn more about his intentions."
The Founder pursed his lips in distaste, "Yeah, ok." He sighed loudly and rubbed his face, obviously fatigued, "Let me know when it's done." Damien said, jabbing a finger at the phone, ending the call.
"What we have so far is more gos-ssip than fact, he's a bit of a hermit." The secretary started, "They say he was human in the late s-sseventeen hundreds until he merged with a trans-dimensional being of unknown type and origin."
A short moment passed as the secretary turned a few pages, "His magical abilities haven't been witnes-ssed by many but, they're told to be considerable. Doc's knowledge of the black arts-ss is well known throughout the town. A bit of a religious zealot -- devoted to ss-some god." Lynd hissed slightly in disapproval, "There's not much else here. Gru sent a team out to find the one who referenced him. A vampire named ss-Spike."
There was a loud buzz when the security department head called back. Erynn, who by some miracle was still awake -- although now sitting on the ground with her eyes closed -- jumped in place with a loud squeak. Which got Damien's attention, his eyes the only proof of a grin, "Patching you through sir," Gru said hastily before the line clicked and the background noise of fear and pain came through. Loud and clear was Doc's voice above the chaos. "Mr. Brice. Allow me to introduce myself," The demon Mage cleared his voice, "Loyal servant to Glorificus, Goddess of the Hell of hells."
Damien and Lynd shared an amused look, "I simply wish to make the acquaintance of the man who has -- by all account -- evolved to surpass his kind." The small man's eyebrows high on his forehead, the perfect look of genuineness.
The Founder looked at the screen where Doc was looking right back, through the camera feed. "Flattery, I figured you'd be bolder." Damien said disapprovingly then, at the quasi offended look on Docs face. "You can tell me what you went through all this trouble to say."
The Mage rolled his eyes, feeling as though he was conversing with someone who didn't know the importance of decorum. "Two things, Mr. Brice. First: Your prototype is complete and in its final stages of testing." Doc pushed his glasses up his face, "The second has to do with, shall we say, the hurdles to your Center's opening -- You do know of the Slayer?" The old Mage knew, somehow he just knew he had the human's attention then, "oh, not to mention those lovely witches of hers."
He saw her, she knew he did but she just couldn't help it -- she was drained and barely holding onto herself. Erynn was deeply worried. Damien's smile made it to his lips, "I'll have Jurrot come get you."
***
The blue stress ball was once again in her hand. Buffy squeezed it repeatedly, this time worry and impatience were the driving force behind each constriction of her fingers, "Nothing?" She asked nervously.
Giles shook his head, worried, "No answer." He hung the phone back up, "There is the possibility they switched it off." The ex-watcher said although he didn't seem convinced, "It is still rather early."
Buffy dropped the ball, her apprehension escalating, "No. It's against Scooby rules to turn off your phone when there's a bad." She pressed the lift button on her bed, raising the back of it so she was in a fully seated position, "Call the shop. Something's up, I can feel it."
***
The metal security shutters had been lowered over the windows and the doors to the shop locked. The two only occupants deep in conversation when the phone rang. "Anya speaking," The shop keep answered after making her way to the counter, "Giles!?" She said excitedly, "I'm so glad you're back!"
The sound of the keys in the door went unnoticed to Anya, but Loreli's eyes moved that way expectantly. She was curious about Erynn's friends, especially the one named Tara. As the door opened and the chime of the bell tolled, a group of three -- all with their hands full - shuffled their way in.
One she recognized easily, "Glad to see you back in one piece, handsome." she trilled, grinning at Xander. She always did have a soft spot for English men, "I see you brought company." Giving a smile then, seeing the two young ladies with him who trudged baggage into the shop.
This must be Tara and Willow. Wonder which is which..."Giles is at the hospital with Buffy!" Anya exclaimed, still holding the phone to her ear. She pointed at it awkwardly while nodding to the newly arrived group members. "Hold on Giles, I'll put you on speaker."
The three newcomers walked deeper into the shop, two splitting toward the table, "Hello," Said Willow with a small wave, "I'm Willow." She smiled and it was pleasantly returned, bright and almost familiar.
"Willow! Oh, I've heard a lot about you dear," Loreli quickly deduced as the redhead took a seat, "That means you must be..." Her eyes turned to the other who she was certain was slightly taller - although you wouldn't notice. She was still standing with her arms about herself. "Tara?"
A shy smile and small nod of recognition was all the witch could muster, "Evening ma'am." She intoned, her voice tired and frail. The elder wondered at the difference in energy between the two women. One seemed absolutely awake, ready for any kind of action while, the other looked as if she was ready to collapse.
"Please, do call me Loreli." A small twitter of a laugh escaped her before she said, "Surrounded with such youth, I have no need to be reminded of my age." At that, the blonde smiled genuinely which she thought was a small win.
Xander, and Anya were close to the phone -- it being on speaker or not, they seemed too excited to hear from the man on the other end to sit. "Our friend's aunt is here," It was the carpenter, "She's worried about Erynn." Twisting his head to the table and back, he added softly, "We all are."
For her part, Anya was also worried, but she wanted to make sure to assuage the owner of the shop she tended, of his own concerns, "Don't worry Giles, your money is safe." Her tone proud and serious. There was a slightly amused sigh on the other end of the phone, "Thank you, Anya." Giles continued, "Now what's this about Willow having been, what is it -- hacked?"
The redhead, sheepishly said from the table, "T-they have a super high-tech setup, Giles!" Willow almost whined, almost, "I'm lucky I got what I did." Really, she was somewhat proud for her accomplishments. If only their foe was less tech-savvy, "I have camera access, I have blueprints all drawn out..."
Loreli felt conflicting emotions. Willow was obviously contrite for having been caught,
It was hardly her fault.. There was also its opposite, right there -- pride. Again, a memory was trying to form; to pierce through years of life. It frustrated her that it just wouldn't come; she needed to understand why she felt so uneasy.
"Buffy!" Giles' voice cut through what was becoming a Willow-babble.
British! I bet he's handsome as a peacock... Loreli was incorrigible, "-is not the time! You are in no condition to-" There was a scuffle when the metaphorical hunk seemed to be struggling for purchase of the receiver, "Let's go, Giles!" It was a highly determined, yet quite feminine voice, "Never mind the damn phone, they're all at the box. We have to go and plan!"
Sounds of faint slaps then, and a few 'ouches' and 'quit-its' before the winner had been declared, "We're on our way." The Slayer said, resolute. At the gentleman's grumbled disagreement she added, "Whether I have to walk there, or not!" And like that, the line went dead.
"Well," Xander clapped unceremoniously, hopping onto his toes and rocking back onto his heels, "I guess it's a party." He pointedly looked around at the group, different stages of alertness graced their faces. But he knew his job in these moments, "Let's crank up the music! Who's got the booze?"
When this got no real reaction, only some variations of mumbled, half-hearted chuckles he felt no choice but to press on, "Oh, come on guys -- it's Scooby time. Let's try and wake up a bit... oh!" Xander looked toward his lovely girlfriend, "What about breaking out the ole' coffee maker, Ahn?" Anya replied easily, "Sure," She'd already been busy at the tea station making sure it was ready for Giles when him and Buffy got there.
"Wonder how Buffy will make it here." The ex demon was quite certain that contraption on the Slayer's head would make any kind of travel difficult. "I hope her neck doesn't break again." She unfortunately finished, her tone nothing but casual and matter-of-fact.
Willow bristled, Tara's head thumped against the table top, "I give up." she simply said, a muffled pitiful sound, closing her eyelids to the world. The two remaining witches looked at each other, and back to the depleted young woman. "Baby?" It was Willow, of course, "Want me to make you a nice cozy bed with the training mats in the back?" She asked her love, pleading for Tara to rest.
Again, the contrast somewhat unnerved Loreli. Something kept nagging the back of her brain, like a memory trying to barge through a pad-locked door. Tara was obviously exhausted, and Loreli had by then surmised about the flashbacks. That the blonde was the one suffering them. She wasn't only unnerved but, also concerned for Tara. "Yes dear, you should rest." No answer, or reply... only deep breaths in and out; the poor woman was sound asleep.
The elder witch checked on Willow with a small smile. With a grin of her own, the diminutive redheaded witch was up and marching toward the back room. "She's so sweet on you," Loreli whispered in a sing-song, stopping herself from pushing a lock of the blonde's hair from her face.
From her lap she pulled Erynn's hat, her eyes saddened by the knowledge her niece was still in danger.
Papillion... Her finger ran the length of the brim and back, in a calming gesture, over and over.
As it had turned out she hadn't needed to do a reverse-locator spell. This group, young as they might be, seemed to be a well oiled machine of practiced efficiency. They already had the information on where, what and working on the how. She couldn't imagine what more could be needed... but there were more members, two more who seemed quite... capable in themselves.
Loreli was astounded at the beautiful souls her niece had surrounded herself with.
She's doing great, even here. Her head shook from side to side disbelievingly
, her heart swelling with pride.
even here.***None the wiser, the group occupied themselves with making some makeshift sleeping corners. Readying some weapons to Loreli's dismay, but no one knew they were being watched over.
On the edge of the box' roof, two silhouettes sat. One recognizable as a cat, the other human. "We've got a problem, Sadie." Lucile said lowly, her voice trembling.
Two lives Only... After thousands of years, down to two. All she hoped was for things to level out again, without too much need for her to intervene.
The figures turned and walked to the back of the roof, the sun just beginning its ascent in the sky. The moon had not brought favors this night. She hoped Spike would be home.
***
"Oof," He exhaled dramatically before pulling his hand away from Catherine's chest. A small wince before the red shimmer left her eyes.
"Got what you wanted?" She asked, annoyed at his song and dance. "I came for a reason you know." Impatiently picking the bag she'd carried in up again, gesturing to the grimy couch in his boudoir.
Rack chuckled at her attitude, and also -- "You, in a trophy." Couldn't help the bark of laughter as he walked fully into the room with a swagger. "And you say your little Amy is a rat. I mean," He threw himself backward onto the couch, put his dirty feet up on the coffee table, "Babe, y'gotta admit it's fucking hilarious."
She couldn't help the attraction she'd always felt for Rack. He was too much of a hippy for her to not crush at least a little, "Yeah, yeah -- hilarious. Can you help me, or not?" Catherine's tone was multi-layered almost, different interpretations of the same words... forceful, annoyed, desperate, even flirty, "Doc will never get around to it."
"Time was," He drawled from his spot with a smug look on his face, "I offered, remember?" Rack's question hung in the air, not necessarily to be answered but to make a point. When she rolled her eyes at him, he scoffed. "Right, right -- you came here wanting to make Doc jealous." He remembered, "I never cared why you came, really."
"Rack," Catherine started but was cut short, "No! Babe, look at me." He pointed at his right eye. "Remember last time?" Shaking his head he let out a deep sigh.
She walked over, and pulled his legs up so she could sit on the table to rest his feet back down onto her knees. Her hands around his ankles, she cooed and cajoled, "I only want to turn my daughter back." Catherine tried to convey just how little Doc even needed to know. If anything at all, "He's busy all the time with this new thing, he doesn't have time for me."
He cocked his head, seeming to peer through her, a perplexed look on his face. "You don't
feel that?" Rack asked, sounding in awe.
"Feel what?" Catherine was thoroughly confused, looking down at herself.
He shook his head not believing what he felt, "How did he?", snapping back to the moment he stood and said, "He dosed you." The warlock laughed then, almost a cackle, "That's
my job!" he shouted, thrusting his hands outward.
"What the hell do you mean?" The witch was now nervous; being dosed now? "I feel fine!"
"Yeah," Rack said, "You probably don't even notice but," He pointed at her stomach, "something in there is changing things," His hand moved to her head, "Here." He pulled a face then, "And it smells just like
him."
Catherine pulled the bag up, and shook it, "Hello? Can you help or not?" Her other hand rubbing her stomach, "I'll have to worry about that later."
That slimy fucker!***
Erynn was given a choice, in her situation she wasn't good for anyone if she was asleep. Still, there weren't much she could do about it. The dog bed, the kept room or...
"Come on pumpkin, we're doing a demo." The Founder jostled her with his foot, "Just a bump will do you." He chuckled darkly, wiping his nose of the offered stuff before twisting to look at Doc and Lynd, "It
has been a while." He teased, turning back to his captive.
Doc was offended and mesmerized at once.
A shifter; this low life scum -no good purpose human- owns a shifter!? "She doesn't look like much," He'd initially said, but he'd looked at her and... well, she had looked right back.
Don't you look at me like that, little girl.The girl got his hackles up, grated like nails on a chalkboard. Oh, he really liked her. "Drugs!?" Doc scoffed derisively, "Are you being serious?" He thought the tactic so... pedestrian.
"Yeah," Erynn felt delirious, an almost manic giggle in her throat, "Come on
Damien. You really think I'll get wasted again?" Oh, she wanted to so, so much. Could feel the palms of her hands itch... He desperately wanted her to, after all -- wanting to show off his toy, but he'd never admit to it.
My will is free, my choice, it's my choice... "I-I've been sober for years now." The girl vehemently shot him down, "No way."
No way.Damien crouched, at eye level with Erynn before saying in a controlling tone, "Then your choices are down to two." He pointed to the dog bed sharply, "Or, that," An agitated arm extending backward, pointing at the far wall covered with paintings. "With a room, a bed and a damn meal?"
Making me lose face, Pumpkin -- better do as I say or, I swear...When she didn't answer, he kicked her harshly in her side out of frustration. After a few coughs, Erynn laughed again, only this time even louder. "Oh yeah," Holding onto her side, she grunted through the tremors, "That'll do it!"
I'm sorry Lo-lo... I'm not gonna last long like this...Doc crossed his arms, disgusted by the display. Surely this wasn't who he thought he was going to meet. The Mage had hoped for a kinship of sorts, as if he'd found a Brother in waiting... but, oh well. "Uh, if I may," He spoke up, "What use is it to berate this lovely creature?" When both sets of eyes fell onto him, he gave a little grin and fixed his purpose laden gaze on Erynn, "Tell me your name?"
"Her name is
Pumpkin, you fu-" Not another word, Damien was rendered mute with the flick of a wrist. "Your
name," Doc's eyes pierced the Canadian, 'name' had a different frequency -- binaural, almost shepherd-tone-like, "E-e"
He's... wow, heh... woah-ow, ow- "Erynn-un"
Spiraling down. Where am I going? "L-l-la"
He wants to shaaaare, to share... he waaants... to shaaaare..."L-l-la-lavoie". And, darkness -- sweet oblivion.
She was out like a light; Erynn slumped to her side, unconscious or sleeping. No matter which, it had worked. "Now that's taken care of," Doc turned on his heel, facing Damien who was trying with all his might to move, to no avail. The hatred in his golden brown eyes could melt a glacier, "Haven't you calmed down yet?" The Mage asked, knowing full well the answer was no, "Pity." He tutted.
Nonetheless, he continued without letting the tempestuous Founder loose, "The prototype, is being tested as we speak." Looking at his timepiece pulled from his pocket, he amended, "I expect results within less than an hour."
Doc knew that was the human's over-arching scheme, always practical like that -- humans. He pointed at the sleeping form on the ground, "There are more pressing issues for us to worry about," Doc groused, absolutely disgusted. "You are
obsessed."
Looking the Founder up and down derisively, he explained, "I understand how entertaining she must be to...
you." The word was dripping with distaste, but none of Doc's dislike of him registered with the Founder.
When Damien's eyes softened somewhat at the thought of entertainment, the demon-Mage continued, "You want it darker, the world - is that right?" His hand swung around presenting the space, "
This world, a little more like yourself?"
Ah, there's my boy. The Founder and CEO's eyes now smiling, "So do I!" Damien almost giggled.
He was let go as the Mage walked further from Erynn, toward the man, "You and I, we have the same goals. Together we could achieve those goals Mr. Brice." His tone was genuine, hiking his glasses up his nose.
When Lynd and Jurrot were called into the office, it was to set things in motion. "Jurrot, bring Pumpkin to her room."
Screw the new leaf, the old one was fine enough... He didn't need for her to want it.
It would just have been pleasant..."Lynd -- bring Doc here back to the magic department." Damien walked over to his desk, a deep sigh escaping his mouth as he sat. After all, there was already a reason he wanted his prototype ready for launch.
"Tell Trem he's being replaced once he's out of medical... just, bring him to the holding pens." He said with finality.
Now, I have two good reasons.. He grinned, self-satisfied.
Doc gave the smallest of bows on his way out the door. "To Glory, be -- sir." He said cryptically.
***
The Magic box was looking more like a dormitory than a shop. Giles walked its floor, book in hand. A Quick glance at the clock only served to double his resolve. Xander was drooling on the research table, having fallen asleep not long ago. Anya was at his side, practically comatose.
The sun will be up soon; let them sleep for now.In the training room, Buffy was reclining in a makeshift bed made of exercise mats, watching over the young witches who were fast asleep in each other's arms. The Slayer turned as much as she could to at least be able to see the lady beside her.
Loreli sat on her own mat contraption, but was riveted on the Slayer. She seemed in complete awe.
"Ok ma'am, uh lady," Buffy gave a small hop to turn her hips in order to better look her companion in the eye, "What's with French people and looking at me like that?"
The old woman's eyes were a twinkle, "Francaise-Canadienne." Loreli jolted then, Buffy's expression was all eyebrows. "Buffy, me comprends-tu?" After hearing herself speak, it dawned on her. "Ah," The spell was obviously done and over with. She'd have to recast in order to be understood.
"Uh," Buffy was at a loss, she knew the woman spoke English. She'd heard her just then, in the shop - when she and Giles had gotten there. "I completely flunked French,"
Is this a joke? Erynn's great aunt
had been a character from the start, she thought.
Loreli shook her head, saying no -- lifted a finger and brought her palms together, as if in prayer. Asking for a moment. She reached to the side of her makeshift bed and pulled out a little leather pouch. The witch opened it, took a stone from out of it and cupped it in both hands. She brought them to her mouth, lips hovering over the stone -- whispering a speaking spell for it alone.
When Buffy saw the faint glow from between the older woman's fingers, she felt a bit apprehensive, wondering what was happening right in front of her. "Hey, magic just -- you know, polite people would explain before doing that.." The Slayer bumbled, not sure what she could do about it either way.
Buffy was cut short, "I'm sorry, dear." Loreli said, now in perfect English. "My translation spell wore off." She smiled a sweet smile.
Buffy's mouth fell open, "Ohhh!" She exclamed, understanding completely. "So, what gives?" After a baffled look from the witch she tacked on, "With the staring?" She pointed for emphasis.
Loreli chuckled, "Erynn as well?" At the Slayer's amused expression she continued, "Empaths..." She said with a shrug, as if that would be enough. Judging by Buffy's reaction though, "You feel kind of amazing to us." The woman's cheeks tinged slightly, explaining something that felt intimate for a stranger.
Buffy's face registered surprise, "Oh!" Her nose crinkled in pleasant giddiness, "Really?" She asked rhetorically through a goofy smile. "What do I feel like?" The way that had sounded... "I mean, you know...what I mean.."
The old witch laughed, "To me, it's like..." She squinted, "Even though I know I couldn't, and I mean absolutely could not. I feel as though I can do anything." Loreli shook her head again in disbelief, "
Anything, no matter the depth of peril.." After a beat, and a prideful blush graced Buffy's face, she tacked on, "I- You actually
can do..."
The Slayer raised a still somewhat unstable hand, "We both know I'm not invincible," Pointing at her halo. The witch pressed her lips together, expressing some remorse. Buffy turned her attention back to the witches, "We should let them all sleep a bit, at least two hours." She felt guilty, not having been available for her friends. They all looked so beat.
The Slayers eyes softened and Loreli could swear she saw this force-of-nature of a young woman, tear up. "I'm so sorry," It had come out as the lowest of whispers, "About Erynn,"
The old witch didn't want to hear it, though, "Buffy, you have nothing to be sorry for." She reached for the incongruently small hands of a superhero, "You didn't abduct my niece." Loreli shook her head slowly, squeezing the hands in hers softly in emphasis, her eyes begging belief.
Buffy sniffled, nonetheless not one tear escaped, "I promise, we'll get her back." Her determined disposition said she was not going to stop until that statement became truth.
Of that, at least, Loreli was certain.
***
Spike's crypt was empty. The vampire was nowhere to be found, she'd made sure to check out all his haunts - even her own. Lucile still couldn't find him. Looking around herself she discovered that she was now alone, her cat companion having decided to be... elsewhere as well.
No mind, the issue was Spike. If Sadie were to be anywhere, the old demon reasoned, she'd be trying to find Spike as well. Or a tasty something to eat. But something didn't sit right with her -- why wasn't he here? He wasn't at the magic box, either.
Lucile sat on the wet, cold grass with her tail wrapped around her waist. Looking into the dawn sky before closing her eyes to peer inward. So far inward it became out. And, as she'd expected, "... Darker..." her shaky breath pushed out. "Lucile sprung up with the speed of a thing that shouldn't look the way she did, "What now?"
***
The ponces were on his tail again. Spike had given them the slip twice already, still they hadn't given up. The vampire had circled a park, then the cemetery and back again -- all in the attempt to get to the magic box; to some sense of security. But, if he couldn't shake them long enough...
Well, he didn't want to bring them to the doo-gooders' door.
"Bloody hell," His jacket was snagged by a craggy limb he'd missed, yanking on it made it crack loudly. In an attempt to divert, yet again, he switched direction. Last he'd seen, there were four of them. Two humans and two... well, no matter the kind, they were part of the things he could kill.
Need a way to split them up, or lose them..He rounded a corner and spotted a fork in the road ahead. Quickly giving quick glimpse around, making sure the pose was out of eyesight. A tall building on the street corner would do the trick... if only.
His eyes raised to the sky where the sun was quickly breaking dawn. "Bugger." The vampire needed a way out of the sun, quickly. Also, he needed to lose the creeps.
A tug at his pants and he noticed he wasn't alone anymore, "Sadie," Barely a glance of recognition, and she was off. Running down an alleyway -- Spike followed close behind.
Can't go back to my crypt...The feline hopped onto a garbage bin, as if saying 'look here'. The vampire didn't know much what she was trying to show him. His eyes kept sweeping the streets, he was sure they weren't far behind. "You know we're being chased, don't you!?" He was getting a little antsy, but all the cat did was look at him pointedly and flick her tail.
He took a deep useless breath and tried to calm himself a bit, he didn't want to be caught -- seems that Center place was worse than the initiative ever was. Sadie actually sounded annoyed, her voice more a growl -- she jumped down, and brought his attention to the ground.
"Oh," A manhole, half hidden by the big container, "Lookout," He pushed it just enough to be able to open it up. "Thanks, pet." He jumped down onto the ladder, on the side of the silo down to the sewers. Obviously, Sadie wasn't about to go down... there. With a wary smile, he reached up and closed it behind him.
***
"Why hair?" He was a small and harmless looking demon, his face almost childish, "I like using skin."
Doc had said he needed space. He'd also said he needed quiet, yet this... minion didn't seem to heed him, "Hair, may contain two types of D.N.A." He said begrudgingly.
if he could teach these low-level tinkerers something useful, might as well. The Mage had ideas for this place, and having competent staff already under some kind of control... "If the root is still attached," He said, pointing at a light-brown hairs he held between his fingers. The end where the root was still attached, "There is nuclear D.N.A. -- good for identity. In the hair itself, Mitochondrial D.N.A. -- through which I can access lineage." He said dispassionately.
He then pulled out a few red hairs, similarly inspected them and was very pleased with what he saw. A twisted grin lifting the corner of his mouth, "Excellent."
***
by gpaul1978 » Mon Jul 01, 2019 10:40 am 
Take all the time you need for feeling better, we'll be here when you are comfortable to write and post again. 
The ending is a few posts to come, but it's in sight!
