[Call | All | Day 45]

[willowtenbrook]

Alright, so FYI, those of you still stuck here, which now includes me... again... going back? Isn't always permanent.

Apparently.

[Someone's a little miffed. And shouting at the sky now, mostly away from the phone to spare all your ears.]

And hey, Powers That Be, I'd appreciate it if I didn't wake up in a fucking lake in the middle of the

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[demiurgos_girl]

Willow? You were... What do you mean you're back? You were gone?

[Fff Elaine hasn't been home since Willow left.]

[willowtenbrook]

Long enough for the snow to melt. Which, doesn't seem to have been very long, what with all the flooding.

[demiurgos_girl]

Not long at all. It really starts to drag, though.

Listen, Lucifer's back in town... [She trails off.]

[willowtenbrook]

I know, I... talked to him.

[This is a sore subject.]

[demiurgos_girl]

[Tell me about it.]

[Elaine didn't know what to say. She approached the issue warily.] He doesn't seem to remember being here. What did he tell you?

[willowtenbrook]

He doesn't... [It shouldn't be hard to say, should it? In any case, she sighs and presses on.] He doesn't remember me. Doesn't sound like he remembers most people. He said something about people claiming to know him.

[demiurgos_girl]

You were close. [A statement, not a question.] It's upsetting me, too.

[willowtenbrook]

[It's easier to try and steer the conversation away than to dwell on herself right now, really.] He remembers you, at least, right?

[demiurgos_girl]

Yes, but- Willow, the last thing he ever did to me was leave me, too. It's just who he is.

[willowtenbrook]

[There's a flustered moment in which she tries to speak twice before huffing. Her voice lacks conviction, however, sharply as she tries to speak.] No, he's not!

[Because who is she to argue, really?]

[demiurgos_girl]

...

[Elaine's wondering if that had been a smart thing to say. She stays quiet a few moments.]

[willowtenbrook]

I... [Don't know where I'm going with this? Maybe?]

Well, maybe he is. [But she says it too fast. It's not believing so much as doubting otherwise. If there's even a distinction.]

But I'm not. And he's just going to have to deal.

[demiurgos_girl]

[That makes Elaine smile.] That's the spirit. Just remember that he's the most powerful being in existence, so don't make him mad.

[willowtenbrook]

I've never... Is he easy to get angry? I didn't think he was.

[demiurgos_girl]

It takes a lot of effort. Or very little, depending on what you say.

... [She'd been delaying saying this as long as possible.] Which is why it's probably better not to mention John for now.