Helpless

[astraeia]

It pisses me off when there's nothing I can do to help a friend in trouble. I mean, I'm the one who went into the freaking past last summer because my friends needed me to... and the very person who got us back from there is the one who's in trouble now. Taffy. She never asked for anything for doing that favor for us. Not even thanks. And some

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[_heather_v]

It's been quite a drive back from San Francisco. The little trip turned out to be rather restful, despite not doing so well at the interview. I'm tired, but I'm worried that now that I'm in Sunnydale again the bad dreams will return. As I drive through town I spot the sign for Willy's, and think I might just want a couple drinks to ensure a good night's sleep.

I park, and peek in first to make sure neither Stef nor Jordan are there before entering and making my way to a small table at the back. Just a couple of quick drinks, by myself, and then I'll go home and hope the booze keeps the dreams at bay.

[astraeia]

Well. Look who just walked in. I wonder if we have any rat poison in the back? Hmm, no, Astra, that would be completely unprofessional. Must be professional.

I paint a smile on my face and walk over to her table. "What can I get you?"

[_heather_v]

I look up when the waitress comes to the table. My usual is a rum and Coke, but I think tonight I better forego the caffeine. "I think I'd like a screwdriver, thanks," I say, with a slight smile. I'll just have to hope I actually get to drink it tonight, instead of it ending up all over my dress like last time.

[astraeia]

I turn and go back behind the bar to mix it, just busting to say something to her. I feel like a declawed cat sometimes, and it's not that I usually mind, but once in a while, when I get mad enough about something, I really wish I could get my ass-kicking inner bitch on. I grit my teeth and take the drink back to her. "Here you go."

[_heather_v]

"Thank you," I say, laying a twenty on the table. I might be having another, but Stef could show up, so I probably better pay up now. "If you don't mind? I might have to leave in a hurry, so I'd rather not run a tab." I take a sip of the drink, and miraculously I don't get jostled or anything. I laugh nervously as I set the glass back down.

[astraeia]

I raise an eyebrow. I'm not going to be able to hold my tongue much longer; I can just tell. "You seem a little nervous," I say. I move to the empty table next to hers and begin to wipe it down, just for something to occupy myself.

[_heather_v]

I sigh. Just my luck, the waitress is one of the chatty types. I give her my best carefree smile and say, "Not really, it's just that a couple of times when I've been in here I've experienced...well, possible spectral activity. But the spirits seem to be quiet tonight." Let her think I'm a kook, what do I care?

[astraeia]

Mm. I bite the inside of my cheek to keep from smiling. "You know," I say, channeling the most ditzy part of myself, "I've heard that the spirits can tell when a person is feeling guilty about something. Or maybe when a person has done things they shouldn't. The spirits know."

I widen my eyes, and my tone is ominous.

[_heather_v]

I raise an eyebrow. Little does she know, that my latest spell seems to have put the damn ghost to rest--if it even was a ghost and not some spell that Taffy did. Of course, it does make me wonder what she thinks she knows. I try to remember if I'd seen Stef talking to her or anything, but nothing pops to mind.

"Well, I wouldn't know about that. I just assumed the bar was haunted. Maybe by a disgruntled customer?" I suggest. "Or perhaps someone was murdered here?"

[astraeia]

No, but there could be.

"There are no disgruntled customers here," I say, matching her skeptical expression. "And this place was rebuilt from the ground up a couple years ago." I tuck the rag back into my apron. "So if there were any spirits here... they don't have anything to do with us."

[_heather_v]

There will be soon if you don't shut up and let me drink in peace. If I'd wanted company I would have sat at the bar.

I shrug and take another slug of the drink. "I don't suppose rebuilding would matter if it had been built over a burial site or something. You know, like in those Stephen King novels."

[astraeia]

Her blase attitude irritates me. I'm not sure if it would've that much if I didn't know exactly who she was and what she'd done.

"Another drink?" I say abruptly.

[_heather_v]

Oh thank god, she's going away. "Yes, please, another screwdriver," I reply, as politely as I can. And then please stay away.