The price is right. _we_happy_few_
[[Be prepared for length...and lots of it]]
Okay...this isn't what I had in mind.
Malibu coast? Moon...ocean...waves... Is this Cyvus Vail guy trying to seduce me...? Ew... I've yet to meet him and I already have a few questions that need answering. The place was kind of public. Who can I kick his ass with an audience cruising by on the neighboring highway? Nobody likes PDAs...public displays of ass-kicking. Now, I'm not against it completely though. Girls gotta do--and all that dross.
I walked out onto a dock and sat down, my legs dangling down over the edge. Maybe I was too late and I missed him. Wonder if rescheduling the play-date would be asking too much. It was hard enough getting Mr. Almighty to agree to this meeting. Sighing, I looked down into the water at my reflection.
"Like what you see, girl?
"I'll let you know...once I see something."
"You're late."
"Yeah, well--" I finally turned to face him "--my appologies...?"
You gotta be kidding me. THIS was the guy? He's so...and the... Well, I was expecting something a little more intimidating and a little less...geriatric?
"You're forgiven."
"Uh, thank you?"
Why was I turning all of my statements into questions? And being polite? Oh dear lord, am I actually gonna hit this guy?! Standing back up I walked over to him.
"You're Cyvus? Powerful warlock guy?"
"I am. Believe me, what I lack in intimidation I make up for in wisdom I've obtained over the decades."
"Uh...'kay."
Oh god...
"So, you know why I'm here. Can you help or not? And I expect the price to be steep, right? Some kind of...trial to prove my 'worthiness' or what not."
He nodded then threw his hand up to quiet me and oddly enough...it worked.
"I know what you're here but as far as 'price' is concerned you will have to decide, once I'm finished with you, if the price is right...and you still wish to go through with out bit of business."
Sure thing, Bob. Dealing with a demon...where did my parents go wrong? He reached into his cloak and I stood at the ready, fists ready to fly if gramps decided to pull anything funny.
"My-my, you're a feisty one, aren't you?"
He shook his head the supplied...a small box from the folds of his cloak. About the size of a Rubix-Cube but no multi-colored-puzzle-fun. It pulsed a yellowish light ans was clearly mystical. Well he is a warlock...so not a big surprise that he's makin with a box of mojo.
"And what is that? Magical music box?"
"Hardly..." , he quipped in an annoyed tone then continued. "This is what you're looking for. The truth. The whole truth--"
"And nothing but the truth...oh, uh, sorry...continue."
No I'm not.
"His truth."
Connor...
Taking in a deep breath, I pulled my attention from the glowing cube and looked at him sternly.
"What do I have to do?"
He chuckled then re-concealed the cube.
"All you have to do...
There was a quick flash of retina burning light which eventually subsided.
"Bloody hell! How can I 'watch' if I can't see what I'm supposed to be watching?!"
"Quiet girl. Look." He turned around and pointed off...somewhere.
"We really need to work on your manners, mate."
I finally decided to look and saw...Connor, walking like he was a man on a mission. Facing Cyvus once more I narrowed my eyes then walked off toward the direction Connor had just disappeared in.
"Great, I lost him..." Glancing over my shoulder I noticed Vail was MIA as well. "...and my demon it seems..."
Grunting I walked on till yet another flash of light disoriented me.
"What the fuc--"
I was cut off by an odd sight, yet it answered the incomplete sentence that preceded. Connor and Angel havin' it out--no, wait, never mind--the son takes down the father by means of a tazer. Nice... Uh, I mean bad...bad Connor! That won't kill him...
Being the bright girl I am, I knew this wasn't real. Just an instant replay of what happened before... Why was he showing me this? It's only aiding in pissing me off, 'cause I already know how it ends. No dusty-ever-after...
"If this is you'r idea of talking me down I'm glad I didn't come to you because I was suicidal. I'd have one foot in the grave at this point..."
Vail finally reappeared looking even more annoyed than before. Heh, he was fun!
"We done here? Still got Christmas present and future to visit you know."
Turning my attention back to the father/son duo, I rolled my eyes.
"No, wait...here comes the best part."
"That's why you wouldn't let them kill me at the drive-in. So you could." Angel...yep, he's a sharp one alright. And here it comes, Connor's shining moment...
"Killing is to good for you. You don't get to die. You get to live - forever."
I cringed as he spoke those words.
"Bad move, boy." I shook my head and sighed. "Okay, we can go now. Plop-Plop, fizz-fizz...and dawn goes the souled vampire. I got it."
"Indeed..."
He worked his mojo and pushed pause on the scene, right before Angel met his soggy to-be-continued.
"So that it? I win?"
"Win? Don't be foolish, girl. That didn't seem to phase you one bit."
"Wow...nothing gets by you. I got the cliffs notes version a long time ago, mate. But I must say, love the realism of your reenactment."
"Yes...I didn't expect much of a reaction from you, which is why I showed that to you first."
My cocky smirk fell. 'First'?!
"There's more? Come on! What are you trying to get out of this?"
"Me? I'v have nothing to gain from this. But you...and those you supposedly care for have everything to lose. I don't think you fully understand what it is you're asking for. You don't know how in over your head you are, Slayer."
Glaring at him I ran my fingers through my hair in frustration then sighed. Demons...they just love their cryptic speak.
"Fine...flasy away."
And he did just that. That coast was now replaced by...the interior of a sporting goods store? The apparel section no less. This guy doesn't strike me as the 'jock' type.
"Need a shin guard do we?"
"Does your sarcasm have no limits? Watch."
Watch...plah. I gasped as I felt a cold shiver take over, but it soon dissipated. That was compliments of Angel, who had just...walked through me. That was...odd. I followed him, then came to a stop just as he did. Damn him and his broad shoulders blocking my view. I walked around him and saw...people. Not shopping people, cowering people and Cordy...who was out cold. What the hell was she wearing?
"You might not want to move. Everyone's rigged. Can't save 'em all, dad. Don't know who's gonna be first. Could be any one of 'em." Connor stood above the rest and he didnt look vary well. "Could be me. Could be her." Connor spoke up...then I realized what it was that Cordy was sporting.
"Not good. Vail?" I looked around...but he was nowhere to be found again. My brow furrowed as I watched on. What other choice did I have?
"Son...you have to listen to me. This is about Jasmine." I looked at Angel questioningly, as if to ask who or what a 'Jasmine' was...but he couldn't answer.
"Jasmine's gone.", Connor replied.
"I know. We all felt it, that perfect love, then when you had to give it up-"
"I didn't feel anything! I can't feel anything. I guess I really am your son... 'cause I'm dead, too." I jumped a bit as Connor yelled and in an outburst of rage, swept everything clear off a nearby table.
"You're not dead. You're just starting your life and-" Angel took a sheepish move forward.
"No, you just weren't there before!"
"I know. I'm so-"
"Do not say you're sorry! Doesn't fix anything."
My heart raced even though I knew this wasn't real. I awaited to be saved by another blinding flash, and when it came...I regretted it. Once the haze of the flash subsided, it was Connor's turn to speak once again.
"There's only one thing that ever changes anything... and that's death. Everything else is just a lie. You can't be saved by a lie. You can't be saved at all."
Angel was in tears...Connor fell close behind. My own eyes watered, but I didn't allow any tears to flow. And after that...all I saw was a series of flashing images. The people in the store running. Connor and Angel fighting, yet again. Angel had Con pinned with a knife to his neck....then...Angel spoke up.
"I really do love you, Connor."
"So what are you gonna do about it?", Connor questioned almost inaudibly.
"Prove it."
With those final words...Angel swept the knife across Connor's neck....and then it went pitch black. I gasped and my hands were shaking. Slowly, the peaceful coast of Malibu reappeared, as did Cyvus.
"Wh--what was that?"
"Truth", he said simply as he resupplied the small glowing box. "Thats the price. And not just for him, but for all of them. Everyone who knew him. They'd remember everything. The good. The bad. All of it."
"He'd...--would he go back to...that?" I didn't even have a word to describe it.
His only answer was a shrug. "That is not certain, but it is a possibility." He extend his hand that held the cube. "So, is it worth it?"
I looked down at the ground, still processing what I had just seen...and trying to forget a majority of it. I heard him sigh then chuckle lightly.
"No, I didn't think so..." Brushing past me, he began to head off, till I moved in front of him, blocking his path. I glared at him, my eyes like daggers.
"Then you thought wrong." I held out my hand and he looked a bit taken aback. "What? It'll either be in my possession...or in that of a demon. Silly me for trusting myself a bit more...even though I probably shouldn't..."
"As you wish." He handed me the box then nodded. "Don't say I didn't warn you, girl. Once you use that there's no going back. For any of them."
"You mean IF I use it..."
He smirked then took a step back. A final flash of light radiated and I was in front of the Hyperion...and also kinda dizzy. Beats taking the bus, I guess. I looked at the illuminating box and scrunched my nose. It was so little... Hard to believe it was good for anything besides a night-light. I decided to take the back entrance so as not to be seen. Once in my room I put the cube at the very back of my closet.
"Out of sight...out of mind."
For now...
[[Bloody hell >.<]]
Okay...this isn't what I had in mind.
Malibu coast? Moon...ocean...waves... Is this Cyvus Vail guy trying to seduce me...? Ew... I've yet to meet him and I already have a few questions that need answering. The place was kind of public. Who can I kick his ass with an audience cruising by on the neighboring highway? Nobody likes PDAs...public displays of ass-kicking. Now, I'm not against it completely though. Girls gotta do--and all that dross.
I walked out onto a dock and sat down, my legs dangling down over the edge. Maybe I was too late and I missed him. Wonder if rescheduling the play-date would be asking too much. It was hard enough getting Mr. Almighty to agree to this meeting. Sighing, I looked down into the water at my reflection.
"Like what you see, girl?
"I'll let you know...once I see something."
"You're late."
"Yeah, well--" I finally turned to face him "--my appologies...?"
You gotta be kidding me. THIS was the guy? He's so...and the... Well, I was expecting something a little more intimidating and a little less...geriatric?
"You're forgiven."
"Uh, thank you?"
Why was I turning all of my statements into questions? And being polite? Oh dear lord, am I actually gonna hit this guy?! Standing back up I walked over to him.
"You're Cyvus? Powerful warlock guy?"
"I am. Believe me, what I lack in intimidation I make up for in wisdom I've obtained over the decades."
"Uh...'kay."
Oh god...
"So, you know why I'm here. Can you help or not? And I expect the price to be steep, right? Some kind of...trial to prove my 'worthiness' or what not."
He nodded then threw his hand up to quiet me and oddly enough...it worked.
"I know what you're here but as far as 'price' is concerned you will have to decide, once I'm finished with you, if the price is right...and you still wish to go through with out bit of business."
Sure thing, Bob. Dealing with a demon...where did my parents go wrong? He reached into his cloak and I stood at the ready, fists ready to fly if gramps decided to pull anything funny.
"My-my, you're a feisty one, aren't you?"
He shook his head the supplied...a small box from the folds of his cloak. About the size of a Rubix-Cube but no multi-colored-puzzle-fun. It pulsed a yellowish light ans was clearly mystical. Well he is a warlock...so not a big surprise that he's makin with a box of mojo.
"And what is that? Magical music box?"
"Hardly..." , he quipped in an annoyed tone then continued. "This is what you're looking for. The truth. The whole truth--"
"And nothing but the truth...oh, uh, sorry...continue."
No I'm not.
"His truth."
Connor...
Taking in a deep breath, I pulled my attention from the glowing cube and looked at him sternly.
"What do I have to do?"
He chuckled then re-concealed the cube.
"All you have to do...
There was a quick flash of retina burning light which eventually subsided.
"Bloody hell! How can I 'watch' if I can't see what I'm supposed to be watching?!"
"Quiet girl. Look." He turned around and pointed off...somewhere.
"We really need to work on your manners, mate."
I finally decided to look and saw...Connor, walking like he was a man on a mission. Facing Cyvus once more I narrowed my eyes then walked off toward the direction Connor had just disappeared in.
"Great, I lost him..." Glancing over my shoulder I noticed Vail was MIA as well. "...and my demon it seems..."
Grunting I walked on till yet another flash of light disoriented me.
"What the fuc--"
I was cut off by an odd sight, yet it answered the incomplete sentence that preceded. Connor and Angel havin' it out--no, wait, never mind--the son takes down the father by means of a tazer. Nice... Uh, I mean bad...bad Connor! That won't kill him...
Being the bright girl I am, I knew this wasn't real. Just an instant replay of what happened before... Why was he showing me this? It's only aiding in pissing me off, 'cause I already know how it ends. No dusty-ever-after...
"If this is you'r idea of talking me down I'm glad I didn't come to you because I was suicidal. I'd have one foot in the grave at this point..."
Vail finally reappeared looking even more annoyed than before. Heh, he was fun!
"We done here? Still got Christmas present and future to visit you know."
Turning my attention back to the father/son duo, I rolled my eyes.
"No, wait...here comes the best part."
"That's why you wouldn't let them kill me at the drive-in. So you could." Angel...yep, he's a sharp one alright. And here it comes, Connor's shining moment...
"Killing is to good for you. You don't get to die. You get to live - forever."
I cringed as he spoke those words.
"Bad move, boy." I shook my head and sighed. "Okay, we can go now. Plop-Plop, fizz-fizz...and dawn goes the souled vampire. I got it."
"Indeed..."
He worked his mojo and pushed pause on the scene, right before Angel met his soggy to-be-continued.
"So that it? I win?"
"Win? Don't be foolish, girl. That didn't seem to phase you one bit."
"Wow...nothing gets by you. I got the cliffs notes version a long time ago, mate. But I must say, love the realism of your reenactment."
"Yes...I didn't expect much of a reaction from you, which is why I showed that to you first."
My cocky smirk fell. 'First'?!
"There's more? Come on! What are you trying to get out of this?"
"Me? I'v have nothing to gain from this. But you...and those you supposedly care for have everything to lose. I don't think you fully understand what it is you're asking for. You don't know how in over your head you are, Slayer."
Glaring at him I ran my fingers through my hair in frustration then sighed. Demons...they just love their cryptic speak.
"Fine...flasy away."
And he did just that. That coast was now replaced by...the interior of a sporting goods store? The apparel section no less. This guy doesn't strike me as the 'jock' type.
"Need a shin guard do we?"
"Does your sarcasm have no limits? Watch."
Watch...plah. I gasped as I felt a cold shiver take over, but it soon dissipated. That was compliments of Angel, who had just...walked through me. That was...odd. I followed him, then came to a stop just as he did. Damn him and his broad shoulders blocking my view. I walked around him and saw...people. Not shopping people, cowering people and Cordy...who was out cold. What the hell was she wearing?
"You might not want to move. Everyone's rigged. Can't save 'em all, dad. Don't know who's gonna be first. Could be any one of 'em." Connor stood above the rest and he didnt look vary well. "Could be me. Could be her." Connor spoke up...then I realized what it was that Cordy was sporting.
"Not good. Vail?" I looked around...but he was nowhere to be found again. My brow furrowed as I watched on. What other choice did I have?
"Son...you have to listen to me. This is about Jasmine." I looked at Angel questioningly, as if to ask who or what a 'Jasmine' was...but he couldn't answer.
"Jasmine's gone.", Connor replied.
"I know. We all felt it, that perfect love, then when you had to give it up-"
"I didn't feel anything! I can't feel anything. I guess I really am your son... 'cause I'm dead, too." I jumped a bit as Connor yelled and in an outburst of rage, swept everything clear off a nearby table.
"You're not dead. You're just starting your life and-" Angel took a sheepish move forward.
"No, you just weren't there before!"
"I know. I'm so-"
"Do not say you're sorry! Doesn't fix anything."
My heart raced even though I knew this wasn't real. I awaited to be saved by another blinding flash, and when it came...I regretted it. Once the haze of the flash subsided, it was Connor's turn to speak once again.
"There's only one thing that ever changes anything... and that's death. Everything else is just a lie. You can't be saved by a lie. You can't be saved at all."
Angel was in tears...Connor fell close behind. My own eyes watered, but I didn't allow any tears to flow. And after that...all I saw was a series of flashing images. The people in the store running. Connor and Angel fighting, yet again. Angel had Con pinned with a knife to his neck....then...Angel spoke up.
"I really do love you, Connor."
"So what are you gonna do about it?", Connor questioned almost inaudibly.
"Prove it."
With those final words...Angel swept the knife across Connor's neck....and then it went pitch black. I gasped and my hands were shaking. Slowly, the peaceful coast of Malibu reappeared, as did Cyvus.
"Wh--what was that?"
"Truth", he said simply as he resupplied the small glowing box. "Thats the price. And not just for him, but for all of them. Everyone who knew him. They'd remember everything. The good. The bad. All of it."
"He'd...--would he go back to...that?" I didn't even have a word to describe it.
His only answer was a shrug. "That is not certain, but it is a possibility." He extend his hand that held the cube. "So, is it worth it?"
I looked down at the ground, still processing what I had just seen...and trying to forget a majority of it. I heard him sigh then chuckle lightly.
"No, I didn't think so..." Brushing past me, he began to head off, till I moved in front of him, blocking his path. I glared at him, my eyes like daggers.
"Then you thought wrong." I held out my hand and he looked a bit taken aback. "What? It'll either be in my possession...or in that of a demon. Silly me for trusting myself a bit more...even though I probably shouldn't..."
"As you wish." He handed me the box then nodded. "Don't say I didn't warn you, girl. Once you use that there's no going back. For any of them."
"You mean IF I use it..."
He smirked then took a step back. A final flash of light radiated and I was in front of the Hyperion...and also kinda dizzy. Beats taking the bus, I guess. I looked at the illuminating box and scrunched my nose. It was so little... Hard to believe it was good for anything besides a night-light. I decided to take the back entrance so as not to be seen. Once in my room I put the cube at the very back of my closet.
"Out of sight...out of mind."
For now...
[[Bloody hell >.<]]