A temporal fold to remember...
written by girly_scribbles
and emberfarie
DARLA
The bass thumped loudly in the car as it drove down the road. Inside the driver was eating a burger, taking loud mouthfuls, chewing loudly as he steered the car down the darkened street.
His mobile, on the seat next to him, began to ring. He picked it up and glanced at the caller’s name flashing on the screen. He flipped it open, holding both the burger and steering wheel in one hand, while he lifted the phone to his ear with the other.
“Hey baby girl…Is daddy gonna be home soon? Well, I’ve just entered the city, so give me about thirty minutes and I’ll be at the house… yes I’ll read you a bedtime story. But shouldn’t you be in bed already? …ok ok but just this once…Is mummy there?… If she’s busy bathing Thomas then don’t bother her, but will you let her know that I’m nearly home… Thanks baby girl, I’ll see you real soon.”
With that he flipped the phone shut and placed it back on the passenger’s seat, smiling at the thought of seeing his family again after such a long business trip.
His eyes were only off the road for a moment, no more than a moment, but as he turned back, his foot slammed down on the brake, forcing the car into an abrupt stop, just narrowly missing the woman crossing the road in front of him.
The blonde woman stood back from the car in shock, cupping her hands over her mouth, shaking her head at the thought of what could have happened.
Quickly removing his seatbelt, he rushed over to the woman, not quite knowing what to do once he arrived at her side. “God, I’m so sorry. I took my eyes off, just for a moment. One moment. Are you ok? I didn’t hit you did it?”
“No. No, you didn‘t. I don‘t know I guess it‘s just the shock of it… It all happened so quickly, I just…” The woman pulled him towards her, locking her arms around him in a tight embrace. He just stood there, uncomfortable and shocked by the gesture, patting her back nervously.
“Thank god you’re ok.”
“Oh there’s no need to thank God…” The woman slowly turned her head towards him, breathing in his scent deeply, before gently and seductively licking the side of his neck in one smooth stroke. Feeling the man flinch in her arms, she secured her grip and looked up at him, hunger showing in her eyes.
“…God can’t help you now…”
The man tried to scream as she morphed into her vampire features and lunged at his neck. Inaudible sounds of pain escaped through his mouth as her teeth pierced the skin, allowing the thick blood to ooze out of the wound and down his neck, into her hungry mouth.
The man felt his life draining away from him, slipping in and out of consciousness as she drank from him. He faded. Faded into nothing.
……………………..
Darla dropped the body to the ground, licking the last of the blood from her lips. She looked away the street and smiled. She was back. Back from where she didn’t quite know, but she was back in L.A., back in this world.
She smelled the dank, sweaty smell of the city and sighed. So much destruction and pain waded its way through the city, tearing those little human’s lives to shreds.
Darla was ready to add to their nightmares, she just had to look up her boy first…
ANGELUS
-The Past-
Angelus literarily could tell the world he knew what if felt like to get into a slayers pants. It was not something he was proud of since mental mind games nor did violence result from these actions. No it all happened one day when Angel and a slayer were out doing disgusting good deeds.
A demon which ate metal and took on the form of those they killed decided to make Angel and the slayer another midnight snack. The slayer and Angel were both briefly paralyzed when they were simultaneously impaled by the long talons. Charles Gunn ended up destroying the demon but the damage was done.
Instead of draining their essence the unfinished transfer swapped their souls. Sounds somewhat confusing, but it gets worse. With the aid of Willow Rosenberg, her magick placed the soul of Angel and the slayer back in their respective bodies. Except something went wrong, something unexpected, and Angels soul, along with the slayer, ripped from his body.
It took Willow a while to realize what she done, but by then Angelus already skipped town. You see the one person who can restore his soul is the one person who ripped it out.
And that changes everything. Her little orb of thessula isn't going to be working is magick to shove Angelus deep inside Angel's psyche. In fact now it won't do much more than be an annoying paperweight for some aged watcher.
Kind of makes you feel all warm and tingling inside doesn't it?
-The Present-
Leaning back in the velvet wing chair he accepted the glass of Merlot provided for him. While the fire crackled in the background, casting shadows along the wall, he thought about how picturesque it all was with Amanda unconscious and bound. Or maybe it was a morbid tableau, one in which the observer longs to tears his eyes away yet can't seem to accomplish the task.
Bringing the wine glass, he inhaled, took a sip, and swooshed it in his mouth before setting the glass on the end table. "Why I do believe Wine tasting can be rather entertaining. Don't you agree darling'?" He chuckled as he mimicked Amanda.
Rising from the chair, he took the short walk and crouched down before them. With one knee on the ground and his arm resting on his raised one he gently tapped Amanda’s face as he attempted to arouse her from the depths of his subconscious. As her eyes fluttered Angelus decided to let her wake with a memory she would never forget.
As Amanda woke up Angelus tilted her head roughly to the side, feeling his face morph, his incisors lengthen, his tongue salivate as he could only prepare himself for the tantalizing taste which would caress his tongue with a lovers touch. While Amanda stared with widened eyes he sank them, probing deeper, letting just the right amount of blood to leave her body but not enough to kill her. After all she was the main prize.
Letting his face return once more to their Angelic features he used the tip of his tongue to wipe the blood from the corners of his mouth. "Now Amanda, don't be so glum. You're turn will come next, but not before I have my way with you. And then once I made you scream louder than any scream you can imagine, well I guess you can just guess what I am going to do."
Amanda cried, but in the end who would hear them? They were, miles away from civilization after all, "You’re going to kill me, " she whispered weakly, her voice ragged from the pain.
Angelus let a sadistic grin stretch across his mouth. Leaning down he whispered in her ear, "I’m going to do much worse than that kittin’. First I am going to rip your eyes out. After all you are a seer and then I’m going to make you just like me. Except instead of being you’re mentor I plan on starving you until the thirst for blood consumes you. After that I think I might tie you to a chair, and place you outside to enjoy the nice sunrise."
DARLA
His scent of destruction lay throughout the city. Its stench warming Darla’s skin as if it were a thick blanket. The vampire’s eyes glazed lazily across the skyline, taking in its power as her fingers tapped gently on the thick window glass in front of her. He was close, her love was probably feasting down on the streets below, his teeth piercing someone’s unchaste neck… Darla’s hand reached towards her own neck as she carefully traced her jugular, longingly wishing for his touch.
Could he sense her? She wondered after all these years, his soul ripped in and out of him again and again… had that severed their connection? Darla’s hand moved to her lips, her eyes closing for a moment as she remembered his kiss, his passion, his destruction… everything that had made her skin tingle with delight.
“More wine?”
Darla spun round, a coy smile fluttering across her face as she looked upon the young man and gladly accepted the glass of wine he held out for her.
“Beautiful view isn’t it?”
“It’s just… stunning. This whole place… it’s amazing.” Darla twirled around, taking in the apartment. The man didn’t look like much, his youthful looks and nervous babble had drawn him to Darla at first, little had she known that she’d picked up one of the most ’up and coming’ stockbrokers in the city.
“I’ve only been here a few weeks, and you’re the first… I mean the first to see it, the apartment.” The man gulped nervously as he watched the blonde’s eyes land upon his own.
“Erm… Are you hungry? I’ve got some food in the-” His words stopped as the blonde stepped towards him, her lips lightly brushing against his as if to question whether his own would respond. His lips replied, his arms pulling the woman into an embrace. His kiss was soft, though beneath it lingered the excitement of a virgin eager to take things further. His mouth pulled away from hers, his tongue licking her taste from his lips.
“Well, I guess you’re not hungry then…” He smirked as he kissed her again, his tongue timidly entering her mouth before snapping back out as he felt her tooth pierce his flesh.
“Oh I’m hungry lover.”
***
Darla smiled at the doorman as she crossed the lobby. She tossed her hair out of her face revealing her blood-stained lips as she stepped out into the crisp night. She closed her eyes, allowing the air to wash over her. She smiled as she felt his eyes looking lustily upon her skin. She opened her eyes and scanned the street, searching for a familiar face among the bar-crawlers and club-goers.
“Well, we always did enjoy a good game didn’t we?”
ANGELUS
With one hand, he pushed open the bullet ridden oak door, crossed the threshold and focused on the voice granting him permission to enter. Sitting in a hardback chair with two attendants on either side was the witch doctor. Honestly, he was expecting him to sport a bone out of his nose or wear some brightly traditional African garb instead of an old Oakland Raiders football jersey.
The stench of incense, for no other purpose then to elude atmosphere invaded his nostrils. The witch doctor regarded him while his attendants, which looked more like Ghetto Queens never, moved from their position. A smile widened across his lips as Angelus moved closer.
"You know who I am and what I am. I have feeling you know why I’m here. Make it permanent. Take the curse away. I have the eyes of a seer." He demanded.
The witch doctor lifted one hand, "Show me the eyes.”
Angelus handed the eyes, which he had in a plastic container to the witch doctor. While he studied them, Angelus Internally began to fume. He pulled out a match and slowly struck it against the wall. Lighting a cigarette he inhaled and slowly blew the smoke out in the witch doctors face. His anger grew, but he suppressed it. Both of them knew if Angelus took out his life now the spell could not be completed. He would let him think he had the upper hand until he got what he wanted. After that, the Witch Doctor would only be something he could bat around and play with.
The witch doctor handed the eyes back to Angelus, “She is not a seer. These will not due. I need the eyes of a witch who possesses great power, the one who can destroy the world. Do you know a witch like that?”
Angelus stepped forward but both attendants pulled out crossbows, “I can kill you before you can even pull the trigger.”
The witch doctor chuckled, “You may try my friend but I don’t think you are fast enough to beat all of them,” he pointed towards the second floor as about ten men had cross bows trained on him.
Taking one last drag, he dropped the cigarette on the carpet and crushed it with his foot. Turning towards the shaman, “Fine I’ll get your eyes.” With that, he stormed out angrier then when he entered. It was time to pay a little visit to his favorite demon bar, Antonio’s.
Pushing open the door, inhaling the smoke, the sweat, the load music, he kept turning around, wondering exactly what was bothering him. Maybe it was the dreams of Darla, he couldn’t stop dreaming of her, but his sweet death was dead.
Self-Sacrifice for the better good, Angelus shook his head making his way through the crowd.
DARLA
If Darla had a heart it would have surely skipped a beat or two when she caught sight of him. Angelus, her boy striding through the streets, with a fury within him she had thought was once lost. Excitement and desire filled every fibre of her being as she followed him through into a small basement bar.
The bar was heaving. Demons revealed their true faces as they stepped in, knowing that Antonio’s was a sanctuary for their kind, a place where they could get some top notch 0-neg and maybe even make a few kittens over a card game or two.
Darla pushed her way through the hustle, her eyes never leaving Angelus as he sat down at the bar and ordered himself a drink. She smiled with delight, as she watched his movements, his expressions… his soulless being… His soul had been lost once again and her boy was back in play.
This night just got a whole lot more interesting.
Darla paused for a moment, stepping behind a couple of lathos demons that were arguing over the wrestling match being shown on the screen beside them. Darla needed time to think, time to decide how best to play this game… She could just walk up to him, but really, where was the fun in that? No, this entrance had to be that little more memorable, something to cover up the detestable thought of her exit from this world. Self-sacrifice… please! It’s amazing how foolish one can be when you’ve got a soul crawling away at your insides.
Darla slipped past the lathos demons, who seemed to be gearing up to use their fists to decide their argument, and headed straight for Angelus. Her vampiric speed allowed her to approached him undetected as she quickly leant in from behind him and whispered slowly in his ear.
“I’m here lover.”
Then she was gone, moving effortless through the demonic jungle of beings, melting into the crowd as she made her way to the stage. A slargas demon was whining its way through a power ballad as Darla approached him. She slowly stepped up on the stage, smiling down at the pathetic excuse of a demon before easing the microphone away from his hand. Her arm wrapped around the demon’s shoulders as she addressed the crowd.
“Don’t you just love a good song…” Darla’s arm tightened around the demon’s neck quickly snapping it in two as audible gasps of shock erupted throughout the bar.
“…when it’s sung well of course.” Darla dropped the demon’s limp body to the ground and the patron’s gasps quickly turned into cheers as they stared up at the blonde on stage in wonderment and delight.
“Now, how about we let a real demon take a turn…” Darla took a deep breath as she tried to control the excitement brewing in the pit of her stomach.
“Angelus, my love. How about you and I show these bar dwellers how it’s done?”
ANGELUS
“I’m here lover.”
DARLA
Darla’s eyes glistened with devilish delight as Angelus approached the stage. Her scourge looked both disturbed and disorientated in equal measure… her little entrance back into his world clearly had the effect she’d desired.
Their eyes met as he took to the stage beside her, his hand uneasily taking the microphone held out to him.
You are evil
Darla’s whole body quivered with excitement as he pulled her towards him, the sexual tension threatening to overwhelm the vampire. However, on the outside Darla remained the embodiment of calm.
“That I am darling, but would you really have it any other way?”
Darla smiled as Angelus’ lips pushed themselves onto her own, his taste and scent reminding her of everything she’d missed about her boy. Turning her back to Angelus, Darla wrapped his arms around her waist and leant into him, playfully biting his earlobe before whispering into his ear.
“I never did get to hear your singing voice the last time you dragged me to a dive like this… so consider this payback.” Without even the smallest of pauses, Darla bought the microphone to her mouth and began to sing,
They say we're young and we don't know
We won't find out until we grow
Darla smiled mischievously up at Angelus, her hand cupping his face as she turned on the charm, working both the crowd and Angelus.
ANGELUS
“I never did get to hear your singing voice the last time you dragged me to a dive like this… so consider this payback.”
DARLA
The hatred in his eyes as he grimaced through the last note of the song was reward enough for Darla. She just loved to see him squirm.
The crowd clapped more out of shock than anything else. They sat there, mouths gaping as they watched the great Angelus and his eternal love flee the stage, Darla’s delightful laughter bouncing off of the walls of the small basement bar.
The woman who appeared in front of them was strange to say the least. Her body may have appeared meek and fragile, but as Darla downed the shot Angelus gave her, gasping slightly as the alcohol burnt the back of her throat, the vampire noticed a strength behind her eyes. Darla cocked her head to the side as she moved protectively in front of Angelus and stared down at the girl.
“And why, prey tell, are we the ones getting free drinks tonight? It can’t have been my boy’s performance because, let’s face it honey, most women would be running for the hills after that.”
Can’t a girl just buy a drink… Wow, that was quick… Safe journey now.
“Journey? What do you-” Darla suddenly felt her stomach flip as her body contorted and stretched out of recognition, intertwining itself with Angelus’ as they were sucked through a brightly lit green portal.
*
They landed on the floor with a thud. The room they fell into suddenly went silent, its patrons clearly shocked by the vampires’ unique entrance, but no one was as shock as Darla.
Darla hastily scrambled to her feet and straightened her clothing, blowing a loose strand of hair off of her face. She scanned the room quickly, trying to work out what had just happened. It was the same bar, but still everything was different. For one, the woman with the absinthe was gone and two, the bar had gone from a dingy karaoke bar to a small, underground private member’s club with a quartet of dancers doing the Charleston on the well-lit stage while the clientele sat in their finest clothes enjoying the show.
“Erm.. Angelus. I’m felling somewhat underdressed all of a sudden. Want to explain what just happened lover?”
ANGELUS
His arrogance prevented him from seeing the big picture. A downfall, but what was he going to do? Getting sucked into temporal folds sucked but at least it wasn’t hell. At least it didn’t look like any hell dimension he’d been too.
“Erm.. Angelus. I’m felling somewhat underdressed all of a sudden. Want to explain what just happened lover?”
“Mmmmm,” He looked around, he’d been here before and then it hit him.
“You mook,” A woman slapped him across the face, “How dare you show your face around here,” she snuggled her dog closer, ”Nobody tells me to scam.”
Angelus head snapped to the side, once more unexpected it. Slowly he turned it around but the woman already made her way through the crowd. “We’re in hell Darlin’” he whispered, “I recognize that woman, “ he growled grabbing Darla’s arm and pulling her towards the exit,” Angel saved her puppy,” he said through gritted teeth.
Nobody seemed to pay much attention to the strangers which mysteriously landed in the bar. Which wasn’t surprising since prohibition was strongly upheld and these establishments were not on the ‘up and up’. A fog horn echoed in the distance and Angelus turned around. It was all so familiar and so different.
But from the woman who slapped him, Angel lurked around town.
This could be bad.
“Temporal fold, not the first time and its not the last time its happened,” rubbing his chin, “I think we need to fit in here until we can figure out how to get back to our own time and,” he paused,” kill the one that sent us here.”
“In the mean time,” he pulled her close, whispering in her ear, “I think we can have a little fun, enjoy all this place has to offer. Leave another wake of blood throughout this city just like Europe.”
Darla
Angel saved her puppy
“A puppy? Dear god Angelus! I know you had soul, but really? That scrawny mutt? I honestly thought that even Angel wouldn’t see good cause in keeping that thing scuttling on this world…”
Darla’s eyes wandered across the room as Angelus whispered into an ear. A temporal fold… well, at least that explained the dress sense. And from what she’d remembered the twenties, they hadn’t been so bad… quite enjoyable in fact. By then she’d worked her way nicely back into the order and had returned to the Master’s right hand. Though something had been missing, and that something had been Angelus.
Everything without her boy by her side had always ended up somewhat lacking in lustre for Darla. Angelus seemed to light up her and everything around them. Together, they’d killed thousands, leaving only carnage in their wake as they danced their way across Europe. After that whirlwind, after Romania… well, the blood of the innocent just didn’t taste as sweet.
In the meantime, I think we can have a little fun, enjoy all this place has to offer. Leave another wake of blood throughout this city just like Europe.
“Europe…” Darla’s whole face lit up as her hand rubbed his chest. Suddenly this crowd of well-dressed patrons were looking a whole lot more… tastier. Tilting her head up towards Angelus’ own, she smiled mischievously, playfully biting his lip before kissing him hungrily.
Maybe this little momentary ’step’ back in time wouldn’t be so bad after all. They could leave all the law firms, resurrection mysteries and most importantly blonde, wise-cracking slayers back in the 21st century, and go back to the destructive ways they were built for. Darla broke away from his lips as her arms wrapped themselves around his face. She rested her cheek against his and looked once again around the bar.
“Well, I don’t know about you lover, but I’m looking for something with a little flesh in its bosom… that teleportation has done wonders for my appetite.”
ANGELUS
“Well, I don’t know about you lover, but I’m looking for something with a little flesh in its bosom… that teleportation has done wonders for my appetite.”
DARLA
Darla turned her back into Angelus as they looked out into the crowd. Some many choices, so many tasty treats lay ahead of them… and they had all the time in the world. The vampire’s mouth began to salivate as her eyes lay upon a young couple sitting on the far side of the bar. Her hand lifted up above herself and found Angelus’ chin, gently moving it in the direction of her chosen target.
“Isn’t that dress simply divine Angelus? Though she really doesn’t do such a dress justice. I believe I shall do much better with it.” Darla turned into Angelus and kissed him hungrily her body pressing hard against his own as her hands moving across his familiar frame excitedly. She was hungry for food yes, but there were other little pleasures and tortures she’d been missing just as equally.
Darla broke away from their embrace and led Angelus towards the young couple who seems quite engrossed in a conversation. They moved straight past the company and into the darkness of the corner. Only then did Darla address her scourge.
“So, my love. Do we pick them off one by one, or does my boy fancy a foursome?” Darla was beginning to feel like her old self again. She was reunited with her reason for being and this time there was no whiny little slayer to get in their way. Yes, this little temporal fold was most definitely a good thing.
ANGELUS
All of them hoping to feel even if only for one night and each one all too willing to give in to their desires of the night. That hope of finding the right person mixed with countless shots of sour mash gave them the right amount of vulnerability to let Angelus enter the picture and make an impression that would continue to live in their minds in this life and their next one.
Nothing changed from one decade to the next. Only the styles, the culture, but humans always were and would always be predictable. Taking two drinks off the servers tray while she was not looking was no challenge at all, especially after they slipped into the darkness of the booth.
It is always important to blend when on the hunt, and slowly he slipped his arms around Darla while handing her the drink. Smelling her hair while she whispered that delicate yet cunning voice he drained his drink, feeling no effects of the alcohol and somewhat disgusted by the tart mix of vodka and orange juice.
“So, my love. Do we pick them off one by one, or does my boy fancy a foursome?”
“Mmmm,” Angelus mused, “one by one leaves so little to the imagination, and a foursome would be exhausting, but a little voyeurism, perhaps one dies while the other watches, bound with rope, maybe losing a finger or two,” he growled, “Now that is always my favorite plan of attack.”
As they sat, his arm wrapped around her shoulder, the epitome of the perfect couple, Angelus lowered his gaze towards the couple Darla eyed.
Studying their movements, "I think your right and the way they," bringing his lips towards the bottom of her ear lobe, he nipped it once before continuing his conversation, "caress each other with so much human love, they honestly believe they are never going to suffer from vulnerability. Look how the crowd looks at them out of the corner of their eyes, how they stare at them with jealousy. Their emotions will be there downfall. I wonder if they will even be missed?"
Angelus chuckled and pressed his body against Darla's forcing her closer to him. Pulling her golden hair over her shoulder her let two fingers linger around the waistband of her skirt.
Voyeurism was always fun but it was more fun teasing her in public until she craved his touch like an addict craves crack. Letting them slide down farther he nuzzled her neck and stopped right before the moment, which normally would cause her lips to part and her eyes to close while she stifled a moan of her own.
Ah Angelus missed that part, even if it didn’t happen.
At least that was how he thought it in his own mind as he withdrew his hand, "I think they look like the kind of couple that is into more deviance then I am. And that darlin' is our key. But first trust must be earned, and by that I mean by liquor. Lets make our way towards the bar and then towards the couple. Should be provide enough entertainment tonight. Too bad it won't last longer than a night, I could enjoy this. Hmm who should watch first? The girl or the man?"
DARLA
Darla’s eyes closed, allowing the sensation of Angelus’ touch across her body to near overwhelm her. His voice whispering into her ear was like a drug to Darla, a drug she’d long been without. Her hand slowly made its way down to his crotch, massaging him through the fabric, moaning quietly as she felt him react to her touch.
It was only when Angelus removed his hand did Darla open her eyes, resting them once again upon their soon to be supper. Her hand pulled Angelus’ face towards hers as she kissed him hungrily, her eyes never leaving the young loved-up couple that sat by the bar.
“Mmm… well, I do enjoy a good show. I wonder how that young man will feel as he watches you and I defile his innocent lover right before his eyes, I do so enjoy to break a man’s strength before feasting upon him, it makes them taste that much sweeter.” Darla led Angelus towards the bar, holding his arms tight around her waist as they moved swiftly towards their prey.
George couldn’t keep his eyes off of her. They’d known each other since the first day of school, but still to this day, he truly believed that June was the most beautiful girl in the world. His hand squeezed her lightly as they listened to the cabaret act. Neither of them looked up at the stage, too mesmerized with each other to tear away from each other’s eyes.
With his grandmother’s engagement ring nestled in his inside jacket pocket, George wanted tonight to be a night that June would never forget, the night she would tell their grandchildren about. Just as his grandmother had sat him down to tell him the tale of how his grandfather had proposed to her.
George picked up his glass to take a sip of his scotch to find that it was empty. He smirked gingerly at his love before lightly kissing her on the forehead.
“I won’t be a moment.” George slid out of the booth and headed towards the bar. He caught the eye of the bartender immediately and ordered himself another scotch and a small glass of wine for June. He looked back over to his table and smiled at June, who was now watching the show.
“Your drinks sir.” George turned and picked them up.
“Thank you. Just put them on the tab will you.” The bartender nodded to him and George spun around only to collide with a young blonde woman, spilling his two drinks all over her unusual outfit.
“Oh my! I’m so sorry miss! I wasn’t looking where I was going. Here..” George grabbed some napkins from the bar and handed them to her, averting his eyes from her cleavage as she wiped herself down.
“It’s fine… I was in a rush to get to the bar before those dancers up there finished. This is what I get for trying to beat the interval rush I guess…”
George felt terrible, he knew exactly how upset June would have been if someone had spilt some drinks over her gown, and was surprised that this woman wasn’t repeatedly hitting him with her handbag.
“I’m so sorry miss. Look, let me buy you,” George noticed a tall man come up behind the blonde and slowly wrap his arms around her waist.
“And your boyfriend a drink. Please, it’s the least I can do.”
ANGELUS
He sipped the sour mash, as he watched Darla work her magic. He loved watching her, the huntress and her prey. That was easier than expected. Standing up he walked over, a charming smile gracing his face as he slipped his arms around his sweet death.
George said: “And your boyfriend a drink. Please, it’s the least I can do.”
“Why don’t you and your lovely lady friend join us back at our booth,” he nodded in the opposite direction, entwining his fingers with Darla’s as he led her away. George and his fiancé joined them at the table.
"I'm Wesley," he chuckled as he pulled out a chair for Darla and prepared to pretend to be interested in anything they had to say.
The couple began to talk how they were originally from Minot, North Dakota and moved to Los Angeles to get away from the cold and snow. The couple planned to get married in three months. They had a distant relative they were staying with but other than that, they had no friends in the city. That brought a smile to Angeles face.
"We're your new friends aren't we Darling?" he leaned over and kissed the tip of Darla’s nose. A server came and brought Drinks that George ordered and Angelus took a long hard drink as they couple continued to speak. After a few hours, George and Daisy invited them to their aunt’s house since she was away for the weekend and Angelus quickly agreed.
They took a taxi together, and Angelus opened the door admiring the split-level ranch style house. Guiding Darla towards the front door they waited outside until the couple invited them in. They never even turned around, simply unlocked the door and said come in. It was all they needed to hear as the invisible barrier dissolved before them.
"This is a nice home you have here and so far away from downtown. How far away is your nearest neighbor?" He asked while catching Darla's eye. This would be a great place to stay until they got everything sorted out. George replied about two miles as he entered the living room handing them both a glass of merlot. Daisy started a fire in the fireplace.
“Oh about two miles down the road is the nearest neighbor. The both of you wear strange clothes, are you actors?” George asked as Daisy brought over a bottle of bootleg whiskey.
Angelus turned towards Darla with a smile, "Darla and I have an unusual entertainment business,” he turned towards her, resting his hand on her knee, “Why don't you tell them what we do Darling." His eyes danced with laughter and anticipation for the fun to begin.
DARLA
“Why don't you tell them what we do Darling."
Darla made herself blush.
“Do you really think that this is an appropriate discussion to have with a couple we’ve only-”
“Please,” interrupted Daisy, “I’m just curious is all. Those clothes…” Daisy’s eyes wandered the length of Darla’s body.
“They make you look like a movie star!”
“Well, we’re not. Why don’t you come closer and I’ll whisper it to you? Least then I may not be as embarrassed.” Darla’s eyes lit up as the girl came willingly towards her, bringing with her two glasses of whisky.
Daisy sat down next to the blonde on the couch and lent into her, misjudging the distance slightly due to her inebriated state. She pushed back her mousy hair so that Darla could whisper into her ear and giggled nervously as the woman moved in closer and playfully licked her earlobe as she spoke quietly to only her.
“Wesley and I… we’re teachers. We teach others…” Darla’s eyes drifted over to
Angelus as her lips continued to gently graze Daisy’s ear, “in the art of pleasure and pain.”
The vampire felt the woman beside her tense up as the words filtered through. Darla hand slowly ran down the length of Daisy’s arm as she allowed her true face to morph through her human façade.
“And now we’re going to teach you.”
ANGELUS
Daisy’s screams rang through the room. Angelus rolled his eyes and walked over towards the dining room, “You know what I really love about this place, it’s so old fashioned.” He selected a large knife, which would carve a turkey, or perhaps a Sunday roast. Running his fingertip along the edge, cutting into his own flesh he walked over to where George worked valiantly to defend Daisy’s honor.
“That’s sweet,” Angelus smirked, “That’s really sweet, you with your fists in the air. I’d almost be threatened if you didn’t have that great big wet stain in the front of your pants.”
George looked down at where he wet himself giving Angelus the opportunity to pin George to the wall by driving the carving knife into his shoulder. Pressing harder on the blade he grinned, “Oh come on now, you can scream louder than that.”
He left the blade embedded in Georges shoulder. Lifting one finger he pointed at George, “Now don’t you wander off.”
“You know,” he walked over towards the cutlery drawer again; “I think her voice gets on my nerves.” That voice, it reminded him of Cordelia Chase, so loud and obnoxious. It almost made him want to stake himself.
Pulling out a small pairing knife he walked back across the room, pausing in front of George, “You doing all right there buddy?” He asked and slammed his hand on the hilt of the knife, driving it in deeper.
Daisy continued to scream as Angelus made his way towards her. Gently he stroked her hair, brushed it behind her ear and trailed one fingertip over her cheek stopping on her lips, “Shhhhhh,” he said bringing his face closer, “There’s no reason to cry. You got to have a reason to cry,” he paused tilting her head up as she started to whimper, “and I’m going to give you one.”
Reaching inside her mouth, he pulled on her tongue holding it tight as her head thrashed from left to right. Quickly he used the pairing knife to cut out the woman’s tongue. Holding it in his hand he turned towards George and said, “Looks like were having Cow tongue for dinner.”
Laughing he turned towards Darla, and tossed the severed tongue on the floor. Slowly he placed his bloody fingertips on her lips, teasing her as Daisy cried and George screamed.
Placing one hand around her waist he lifted her off the ground, swinging her around with a hungry kiss. “Just like old times.”
Setting her back down he scanned the area, “You know I think we need to blend a little,” even he knew their outfits would raise eyes, “lets kill two birds with one stone.” Have a snack and find somebody who fit there builds.
Although it appeared perfect, Angelus never once gave a second thought that his angel persona also happened to be running around town. Soon he was going to feel it as both of them were supposed to be as one, not separate entities.
“I think that little tart did us a favor,” angelus said as the two of them walked down the street, “Seriously what was the point bringing us back here? Loads more fun than the present, we already know how that turned out.”
So many people, dressed in fine suits and dressed it was hard to make a decision, “We need some variety.”
Meanwhile on the opposite side of town Angel walked past a group of blue collar workers playing dice in a back alley. The strangest thing was he almost could not stop himself from wanting to take a taste. Sure each day proved to be a struggle but why now? It was like something was trying to crawl out of him, but that wasn’t possible was it?
Angelus shook his head giving silent thanks that Barry never did a duet. At least he hoped not, damn, “Of all the things-“ The lights glared and the music cued.
They say we're young and we don't know We won't find out until we grow
He could think of better things to do but all In good time.
His flat tone-deaf voice rang throughout the bar, “WE got a land and our land is free…”
A woman, alone, tiny, minuscule sat in the back of the bar. She paused, the illegal absinthe almost touching her lips when she noticed them on the stage. Ruby recognized the two vampires because they nearly killed her twin brother. Malachi, a messenger in the demonic underground, gave Angelus extra bad news. In the end, the messenger always gets his just desserts but Ruby was able to save her twin, by bonding with him.
Now Malachi lived attached to her and they vowed should they ever run into Angelus and Darla they would use the last of their combined power to destroy them. Taking the second shot, she let the sugar cube dissolve nearly wishing she could drive a knife in her ear if she had to listen to one more off keynote sung by Angelus.
Nobody in the bar dared to throw anything at him, not as the patrons did to her. Draining the last of the absinthe, she wiped he mouth, thinking of the humiliation of a fork sticking out of her forehead. The cold metal would not kill her but it did hurt like hell.
Hailing the server she ordered to shots of Absinthe. Using a pair of tongs, she pulled out a few cubes of sugar, lifted her shirt and allowed Malachi’s salvia to coat them. She placed the sugar in the drink, used her last breath to enchant it. She wasn’t the last of a time demon for nothing, but her power waned and this would be her last spell prior to death.
Actually, she would live out her life as a mortal without Malachi but they both knew bringing the demise of Angelus and Darla would be worth it. A stake in the heart would not be enough punishment for the two.
Thank God, she thought to herself when the song ended and most of the patrons clapped politely although Ruby figured it was due to Darla being the song bird of the two.
Angelus nearly shoved the microphone down the emcees throat as he handed it back to him. Gripping Darla by the arm he pulled her off towards a darkened table only to be interrupted by a tiny woman holding two shot glasses filled with green foam.
“Just great and cheers,” Ruby said handing them the shot glasses. She knew for a fact that the two vampires never met her before, only her brother, but she still had to wait for them to drink the toxic liquid. Send them to their own personal hell. Angelus took the shot glass, “Well I’ve never been one to turn down a free drink,” Quickly he tipped his head back and drained the green fluid as the woman handed the second one to Darla.
Angelus snapped his head around, but he wasn't quick enough. She sounded so real, it was those dreams taunting him again. It was beginning to piss him off. Whoever or whatever was playing game picked the wrong vampire.
“Don’t you just love a good song…”
This time there was no mistaking that voice. Angelus turned towards the stage and there she stood in all her glory snapping the neck of a demon. Good times.
“…when it’s sung well of course.”
Angelus smirked.
“Angelus, my love. How about you and I show these bar dwellers how it’s done?”
That took him by surprise of course, she wanted him to sing? Was she crazy? Was she human? no he could defiantly tell she wasn't human.
She was kidding right?
Angelus actually for the first time couldn't think of how to react and he simply laughed, "you've got to be kidding me right?"
the demons in the bar began encouraging him and he stood up and met his sweet death on the stage. This was a living nightmare. Taking the microphone which was offered to him.
"Lets here it for Angelus and Darla and it looks like they singing," the demon grinned as he turned on the karaoke machine, "I've got you babe."
The lights were flashing, he could feel his adrenaline pumping, and the humiliation was overwhelming. He turned to her, "You are evil," he said with admiration. Grabbing her arm, he pulled her close, "Pain, you're gonna love it," Angelus roughly pressed his lips on hers, tasting her, knowing she was real before the music cued.
Was he really supposed to sing?