A Place Called Home

[not_the_shell]

((Cont from HERE))

The Slayer continued to speak strangely to me, and as I attempted to discern exactly what she meant, the one known as Hamilton also required my attention.

"Didn't realize I was comin' to a meetin' of Ass Kissers Anonymous."My head unmoving but my eyes straying slightly toward the Slayer, then back to the almost-mortal before me

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[not_the_shell]

I entered what should have been a confining space, one that would choke me, yet the windows that let in the lightness from the outside world called to me and with each step toward them, what should have been my heart felt as though it were pounding. A gloved hand finally reached out and touched the glass as my mouth opened slightly in silence.

"You know, Blue you got a point. Guess they can't deal with the power we got, so they try to make us feel like we ain't worth nothin'. Or whatever."

I nodded. The Sla-- Faith was correct. My head turned to face her, palm still flat against the chill of the glass, as the words I spoke confirmed what all three of us more than mortals felt.

"We... we are not worthless. They underestimate us in more ways than one."

What that would mean for the future, I was not entirely certain...

"An excellent observation. Power frightens the lesser being, makes them feel small and fear the loss of whatever they might have. If they have the chance, they use whatever means they have to bring down the powerful."

What might have passed for a smile was what greeted the other with us, the one who had beaten me, bloodied me, and left me to die in my humiliation. Odd, then, how he understood me now so completely...

"Then they shall not get that chance," were the words whispered as my hand left my link to the outside and I turned inward -- inward to the box that now held me, and inward to myself.

"They shall not murder me..."

For was that not what they wished? Why? Why was my death something they desired -- even after I was the only one amongst the group to speak the truth to The Shell about the events leading to the mortal's demise?

Untruths seemed to be quite common among them...

"So, ladies? What do you think? It's the very latest and very best of everything, and I happen to be just one flight down."

Stepping until Faith was beside my form, my hand reached out to hers and touched the air about her, sending what small amount of energy I had left within me after Wesley had raped and drained me of my power. I thought about this wolf's words, this... plan of sorts and inclined my head in acceptance.

Perhaps between the three of us, the balance of power could truly be restored along with our dignity.

In the words of The Shell (for she was not Fred to me, not any longer after the anger that washed over her spilled into me), I drew forth the memory and whispered.

"This will do."